Oak Lane Library
| 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
- Mon., May. 26 : Closed Memorial Day
- Thu., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
- Fri., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Mon., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor Day
Services
- Book Drop
- Browse Shelves
- Computer Use
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Printing Services
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
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
Animal Champions
Thu, April 24, 2025
3:30 P.M.
With the world constantly changing, those who can adapt reign supreme. Meet some animals with amazing adaptations that help them thrive. This program is offered by the Center for Aquatic Studies at The Adventure Aquarium. We might meet a terrapin like this one, or another animal.
Manga & Anime Club
Fri, April 25, 2025
3:00 P.M.
Join other fans of Manga and anime for snacks, discussions, and creative projects. For 5th - 12th graders. Meets most Fridays, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Read, Color, and Comb: It's Time to Comb Hair
Mon, April 28, 2025
4:00 P.M.
This program is an engaging, hands-on experience designed to make literacy and hair care fun for young readers. Centered around the book It's Time to Comb Your Hair , co-authored by Tanisha Singleton Thompson and her daughters Veriteady and Klere Kado Thompson, this session brings the…
Urban Gardening with Native Plants
Tue, April 29, 2025
5:30 P.M.
Don’t have a half-acre to turn into a native plant meadow? No problem! Whether your landscape is a rooftop deck, sidewalk in front of a row home, strip of grass, or yard of any size, you can have a native plant garden in Philadelphia. Landscaping with native plants is one of the most…
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.