Greater Olney Library
| Sunday, 9/21 | Closed |
| Monday, 9/22 | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, 9/23 | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, 9/24 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, 9/25 |
12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. * |
| Friday, 9/26 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, 9/27 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
- * Thursday had hour changes – Due to staff shortage. Materials pick up services offered 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m and from 3:30 p.m. to 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
Services
- Book Drop
- Browse Shelves
- Computer Use
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Printing Services
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
Upcoming Events
Blind Date with a Book!
Mon, September 29, 2025
11:00 A.M.
Ready to fall in love with a new book? Join us for Blind Date with a Book, a fun week-long event where teens and adults choose a wrapped book by genre and check it out without knowing the title. Each week features a fresh selection of mystery reads so come back and take a chance on something new.
Would You Rather...?
Mon, September 29, 2025
11:00 A.M.
Each week, check out our "Would You Rather?" wall prompt in the library! Grab a sticky note, write your answer, and stick it up to share your opinion. It’s a fun and exciting way to see what everyone thinks—all week long!
PuzzlePalooza
Mon, September 29, 2025
11:00 A.M.
Get ready to piece together some fun with Drop-In Puzzle Making. Teens and adults are invited to stop by anytime during the week to work on community puzzles or start one of their own. A new set of puzzles will be available each week, and you're welcome to bring your own to share or complete!
About
Located in the 5th street shopping district, one block south of Olney Avenue. We serve the diverse Olney community with materials in many languages.
History
The Olney community derives its name from the home of Alexander Wilson, which stood from 1840 to 1924 east of Rising Sun Avenue overlooking Tacony Creek. Wilson chose the name "Olney" for his home because he admired the poet Cowper of Olney, England, composer of the famous Olney Hymns of the Methodist Church.
City maps of 1847 show the town of Olney consisting of three main roads and a community of farms. The main highways were the Kensington-Oxford Turnpike (now Rising Sun Avenue), Olney Road (now Tabor Road) and Clinton Street (now Mascher Street). The modern name for Tabor Road comes from the Tabor rail station, opened in 1873 to serve the Jewish Hospital.
The idea of public libraries in Olney began before 1860. A free library existed as a one-story stone building built circa 1858 at what is now Lima and B Street. The building was never quite completed and was abandoned after a few years of decay.
In 1876, another free library was established a short distance above what is now 5318 Rising Sun Avenue. It was used by residents of Unionville, Crescentville, Cedar Grove and Olney. (This might be the source for the Greater portion of the Greater Olney name.) That library survived for about 25 years.
The Kiwanis Club and the Olney Community Council began working together in 1945 to develop a branch library. These efforts came to fruition when the Greater Olney Branch opened in the former Olney Bank and Trust Company building on October 1949 at 5th Street and Tabor Road. The library was renovated in 1997 as part of the Free Library's "Changing Lives" campaign.