Haddington Library

446 North 65th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19151-4003
65th Street & Girard Avenue
Open today until 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Closed
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 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

  • Tue., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
  • Thu., Nov. 27 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
  • Fri., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Friday
  • Thu., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Accessible parking
  • Baby changing station
  • Book drop box
  • Computers for public use
  • Electrical outlets available
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Meeting space (reservation required)
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Scanner
  • Street parking (free)
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Halloween Monster Masks

Fri, October 31, 2025 3:00 P.M.

Create a spooky mask and bring your monster to life!

Twilight Tales Family Story Time

Fri, October 31, 2025 4:00 P.M.

Join Librarian Meg in the evening at the library for an interactive Storytime that includes favorite read-aloud books and songs. Feel free to come cozy in pajamas! The program is intended for children aged 2-7 and their families, siblings welcome!

Job Action Day

Mon, November 3, 2025 2:00 P.M.

Are you fed up with your job? Do you absolutely LOVE your job ? Are you somewhere in between? Join us for Job Action Day to discuss and take action on your career now.

Social Services at the Library with a Social Worker

Wed, November 5, 2025 10:00 A.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 10:00am to 12:00 p.m. If you have questions, you can email…

About

Located at the top of a hill, the library serves the communities of Haddington-Carroll Park and Overbrook-Morris Park. You can climb the front steps to the stately main entrance of the building or use the elevator located inside the side entrance on Girard Avenue.

History

First appearing on an 1816 map of Philadelphia, Haddington was named for the country town of Haddingtonshire in England. The village of Haddington, centered around 62nd Street above Arch Street, consisted of a dozen houses and a coach stop inn called the Whitesides.

By 1865, passengers could take the West Philadelphia Passenger Railway, which traveled out down Haverford Avenue to 54th Street, then south to Vine Street, then west to 66th Street before returning to the depot. With the opening of the Market Elevated line in 1907, small shopping districts developed along Market Street. The shopping district around the 60th Street El stop, bounded by Market and Chestnut Streets, and by 60th and 61st Streets, was later designated as the Haddington Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Haddington Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia opened on December 3, 1915. Albert Kelsey, an architect who chaired the committee to develop the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, designed the building. Haddington was the 18th library building erected using funds from Andrew Carnegie. Land for the library was donated by Alex Simpson, Jr.

The Old Academy Bell, which was a school bell at the "Yellow School House," a block away from the library, still sits in the main reading room. A mural inside the branch reimagines the outside courtyard and depicts neighborhood children at play.

The library was renovated in 2001 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which brought Internet service to every branch. With their Free Library cards, members of the public can use the Library's public computers or connect to the internet with their own devices using the Library's free WiFi service.