Lovett Memorial Library

Thursday, June 27 – Message from Staff

Lovett Library has reopened and will be observing their regular hours. Thank you for your ongoing support and advocacy.

6945 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19119-2189
Germantown Ave. & Sedgwick St.
Open today until 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 6/23 Closed
Monday, 6/24 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Closed *
Tuesday, 6/25 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Closed *
Wednesday, 6/26 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed *
Thursday, 6/27 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. *
Friday, 6/28 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 6/29 Closed
  • * Monday had hour changes – Due to cooling issues.
  • * Tuesday had hour changes – Due to cooling issues.
  • * Wednesday had hour changes – Due to cooling issues.
  • * Thursday had hour changes – Due to cooling issues. Materials pick up services 10am - 11am today.
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 Closed

Upcoming Closures

  • Thu., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
  • Thu., Jul. 11 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
  • Thu., Aug. 8 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
  • Mon., Sep. 2 : Closed Labor Day
View all holiday closings

Services

Facilities

  • Baby changing station
  • Bicycle rack
  • Book drop box
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Public restrooms
  • Self-service checkout
  • Street parking (free)
  • Street parking
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Read, Baby, Read! Baby Storytime

Tue, July 2, 2024 11:00 A.M.

Join Ms Dana for stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces! Stay for playtime immediately following storytime! Intended for our friends ages 2 and under and their caregivers. Participants receive a free…

Read, Baby, Read! Baby Storytime

Tue, July 9, 2024 11:00 A.M.

Join Ms Dana for stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces! Stay for playtime immediately following storytime! Intended for our friends ages 2 and under and their caregivers. Participants receive a free…

Community Meeting about Lovett's Humidity Issues

Tue, July 9, 2024 6:00 P.M.

Please join us for updates on Lovett's humidity issues and emergency closures along with information on the proposal for remediation.  Representatives from the Free Library of…

Drag Queen Storytime

Fri, July 12, 2024 10:30 A.M.

Philly’s favorite drag queen Brittany Lynn is back to read stories in honor of Pride Month & summertime!  

About

Located on Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy, Lovett serves the communities of East and West Mt. Airy. Check out the garden next to the branch.

We are part of the transformational Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative. Learn more: http://www.21stcenturylibraries.org

History

Germantown Avenue began as an Indian footpath through the woods used as a road by settlers. In 1865, Thomas Lovett purchased more than ten acres along the avenue as a family estate. Mount Airy Free Library was founded twenty years later by a trio (one of whom was Miss Louisa Lovett) in a rented room at a lumberyard, where 7153-55 Germantown Avenue now stands. Another of the trio, Mrs. Sheldon Potter, acted as volunteer librarian. She had a small circulating library at her home for neighborhood boys, hoping to raise their standard of reading materials from the "dime novels" that were all they could afford for themselves.

In 1887, Charlotte Lovett Bostwick built and endowed the library as a memorial to her brother, Thomas R. Lovett. This portion now serves as a meeting room. Lovett Library became a branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia in 1924. A new addition was opened in 1961, and in 1982 the Friends of Lovett Library started.

The library was renovated in 1999 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign. In 2004, the Lovett Memorial Reading Garden was dedicated.