Oak Lane Library

6614 North 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19126-3299
12th St. & Oak Lane
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 Closed

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

  • Baby changing station
  • Bicycle rack
  • Book drop box
  • Computers for public use
  • Electrical outlets available
  • 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

Read, Baby, Read Storytime

Thu, October 30, 2025 10:30 A.M. This event has already happened.

Mr. Alec will lead little ones in stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces! Bubbles will end storytime, but be sure to stay for our playgroup! For babies and toddlers, their siblings, and caregivers. Thursdays from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Fiber Arts Skill Share

Fri, October 31, 2025 11:00 A.M.

Meet up with other crafters for skill sharing, conversation, and snacks. Sewing machines are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, and a limited supply of sewing, crocheting, and knitting supplies will be provided. This is not a formal class, although some basic instruction may be…

Haunted Halloween at the Library

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

Stop by for a treat, explore the library's spooky basement, and check out our collection of Halloween-themed books and movies! Costumes are encouraged but not required. 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Bibliophiles Reading Group

Wed, December 3, 2025 2:00 P.M.

The Oak Lane Bibliophiles is our adult book club that meets at the library to enjoy snacks and lively discussion. This month the Biblios will be discussing Lovely One: A Memoir, by United States Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. A limited number of copies will be available…

About

Serving the community of Oak Lane, which is east of Broad Street at the city's northern border.

History

The neighborhood's earliest settlers arrived in 1697, when Griffith Miles and several Welsh families came to settle and farm. Miles built a log cabin in the vicinity of Old York Road and Haines Street. The area became known as Milestown in 1711.

After farming began to flourish, water power from streams was used to operate mills. The products of the mills were sold in the surrounding communities.

In 1761, Joseph Armitage built a school on the site of the present Ellwood School - a plot of land on the north side of Oak Lane, between 12th and 13th Streets. Subsequently, three larger schools were built on the site to accommodate the growing population. The name changed from the Armitage School to the Milestown School, and finally to the Ellwood School.

The name Oak Lane comes from a beloved, large oak tree that stood on the property of Hall W. Mercer, who lived on Martin's Mill Road. After the tree blew down during a storm in 1860, Mercer changed the name of the road to Oak Lane.

The Oak Lane Library was built in 1910-11 with the combined efforts of the Ladies Review Club of Oak Lane, the Library Association, and funding from Andrew Carnegie. During the Great Depression, a Friends of Oak Lane Library group formed in order to provide book funds until budgets were restored by City Council.

In 1958, the newly rehabilitated Oak Lane Branch held an open house, and a new "Friends" group formed, sponsoring lectures and purchasing materials. The library was renovated in 1999 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which brought Internet service to every library.