Haverford Library

5543 Haverford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19139-1432
56th St. & Haverford Ave.
Open today 11:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, 5/12 Closed
Monday, 5/13 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
11:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. *
Tuesday, 5/14 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 5/15 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 5/16 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 5/17 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 5/18 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • * Monday has hour changes – Due to staff shortage. Materials pick up services offered 11 - 11:30 a.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

  • Thu., May. 23 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
  • Mon., May. 27 : Closed Memorial Day
  • Wed., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
  • Thu., Jun. 27 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
View all holiday closings

Facilities

  • Bicycle rack
  • Book drop box
  • Computers for public use
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Scanner
  • Street parking (free)
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

PA CareerLink® Job Search Assistance

Wed, May 15, 2024 2:00 P.M.

Meet with a Community Workforce Connector from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for one-on-one job search assistance. Get individualized support with résumé development, career…

Computer Basic Training-Typing Lessons

Thu, May 16, 2024 3:00 P.M.

Need computer help? Take a free digital skills workshop at the Library!  Anyone wishing to improve their typing skills is welcome to attend. Partcipants will use TypingClub.com- a…

Saturday Morning Storytime & Craft

Sat, May 18, 2024 11:00 A.M.

Families with children are invited to join us Saturday mornings this Spring for a 30 minute storytime followed by a simple craft for the whole family.  

PA CareerLink® Job Search Assistance

Wed, May 22, 2024 2:00 P.M.

Meet with a Community Workforce Connector from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for one-on-one job search assistance. Get individualized support with résumé development, career…

About

Located at the busy intersection of Haverford Avenue, 56th and Westminster Streets, the branch serves the community of Haddington-Carroll Park. The library has a lively aquarium theme in the preschool center.

History

The neighborhood had its beginning when John Rhoads received the land from William Penn. By 1847, the section between 65th and 67th Streets on Haverford Road appeared as "Haddington" on maps. Haverford was a main road in the area.

During the Civil War, this area was a center for training recruits for the Union Army. The Northwest Fellowship Council was founded in 1954. It was a forerunner of the Haddington Leadership Organization, which is still active today, working for the betterment of the community.

The Education Committee of the Haddington Leadership Organization led the drive to petition City Council to erect a library branch in their community. 5,000 signatures were collected and funding was placed in the 1976 city budget. Ground was broken in 1978, and the library opened on September 5, 1979.

The stained glass mural above the front door was created by artist Crosby Willet. The preschool area features an aquarium theme with lots of multicolored fish.

The library was renovated in 2000 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and brought Internet service to every library.