Lovett Memorial Library

6945 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19119-2189
Germantown Ave. & Sedgwick St.
Open today 10:00 a.m. – 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., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor Day
  • Mon., Oct. 13 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
  • Tue., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
  • Thu., Nov. 27 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
View all holiday closings

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

Summer STEM Camp with Stevie the Inventor

Sat, August 9, 2025 12:00 P.M. This event has already happened.

Hosted by beloved STEM educator and entrepreneur Stevie The Inventor, the camp invites children to dive into science, technology, engineering, and invention through exciting, hands-on activities. Each session will feature DIY projects, Nanobot building classes, invention challenges, and a…

Read, Baby, Read Storytime

Tue, August 12, 2025 11:30 A.M.

Come join Ms. Dee for songs, stories, rhymes and lap time! Stick around for playtime afterward.  This program is intended for ages 0 - 24 months, along with their caregivers. This program has been made possible by a grant from the William Penn Foundation.

The Diamond Wellness Retreat Series

Tue, August 12, 2025 12:00 P.M.

Join us for a series of programs for women survivors of domestic abuse. The sessions will include guest speakers, yoga, journaling, painting with intentions, sound bath, massages, and more. For ages 18 and up. Light refreshments will be served. Meets July 1, 15 & 29; August 12 &…

Toddler Storytime

Wed, August 13, 2025 10:30 A.M.

Come join Ms. Dee for songs, movement, and stories! Stay awhile for playtime afterward. This program is intended for children ages 2 - 6 and their caregivers.

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.