David Cohen Ogontz Library

Monday, September 15 – Message from Staff

 

We'll be open Saturdays beginning Saturday, September 20, 2025! Stop in between 10:00 a.m -5:00 p.m.

6017 Ogontz Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19141
Church Lane & Ogontz Ave.
Open today until 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Monday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Upcoming Closures

  • Mon., Oct. 13 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
  • Tue., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
  • Thu., Nov. 27 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
  • Fri., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Friday
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Bicycle rack
  • Book drop box
  • Computers for public use
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Meeting space (reservation required)
  • Parking lot
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Scanner
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Social Services at the Library with a Social Worker

Mon, September 22, 2025 2:00 P.M.

Stop by for Open Office Hours with a Social Worker where you can receive help finding, navigating, and connecting to relevant community and government agencies.  This service will be available today from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. If you have questions, you can email…

Baby and Toddler Storytime at the Library

Thu, October 2, 2025 10:30 A.M.

Join Sunita for stories and songs, perfect for infants and toddlers ages 4 and under. Daycares and other groups, please call ahead to arrange a visit to ensure we have space to accommodate. Meets most Thursdays.

Baby and Toddler Storytime at the Library

Thu, October 9, 2025 10:30 A.M.

Join Sunita for stories and songs, perfect for infants and toddlers ages 4 and under. Daycares and other groups, please call ahead to arrange a visit to ensure we have space to accommodate. Meets most Thursdays.

Baby and Toddler Storytime at the Library

Thu, October 16, 2025 10:30 A.M.

Join Sunita for stories and songs, perfect for infants and toddlers ages 4 and under. Daycares and other groups, please call ahead to arrange a visit to ensure we have space to accommodate. Meets most Thursdays.

About

Serving the communities of Ogontz and Belfield, this branch is located at Church Lane and Ogontz Avenue.

History

Ogontz is named after the Oak Lane mansion of Jay Cooke, a Civil War financier. As a young boy, he met Chief Ogontz in Ohio and later named his home for the Indian leader.

The community first requested a library in 1961, but due to problems with sites, funding and construction, the library was not opened until 1997. David and Florence Cohen helped get the community organized by circulating petitions and even hosting a meeting at their home. In the 1960's and 70's the area was served by a bookmobile, and various sites were considered, and even purchased, but the plans were rejected and funding was rescinded.

In 1984, the neighborhood association requested a library on the site of the former Ogontz Theatre and the library applied for library construction funds from the state. In 1994, groundbreaking was held at 6017 Ogontz Avenue, next to the site of the theatre. The library was to be a pre-engineered modular building, with carousel book shelves.

On February 10, 1997, the new library was finally opened, with a special poem written and recited by Nikki Taylor, who fondly remembered the weekly bookmobile visits and considered the new library a blessing for the entire community.