Haddington Library
| 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 | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Thu., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
- Fri., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Thu., Jul. 24 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
- Mon., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor Day
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
The Amazing Interactive Circus!
Tue, June 10, 2025
3:30 P.M.
The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts will show participants how to juggle, balance feathers, and spin a lasso! This is a popular program and space may be limited.
Family Storytime
Wed, June 11, 2025
10:30 A.M.
Join us for a fun children's Storytime led by the children's librarian, multiple days available! This Storytime is best for children 0-5 with their caretakers.
Diary Club
Mon, June 16, 2025
3:30 P.M.
A fun, creative space for young writers to explore their thoughts, dreams, and ideas through journaling.
The Claymobile: A Pop-Up Ceramics Studio
Tue, June 17, 2025
10:30 A.M.
Join us as the Claymobile brings a unique “pop-up” ceramics studio to the Haddington Branch Library! Led by professional teaching artists, this hands-on program uses the creative possibilities of clay to spark imagination, build critical thinking skills, and encourage…
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.