Torresdale Library
| Sunday, 6/29 | Closed |
| Monday, 6/30 | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, 7/1 | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, 7/2 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, 7/3 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday, 7/4 |
Closed * |
| Saturday, 7/5 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
- * Friday had hour changes – Independence Day
| 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
- Fri., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Mon., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor Day
- Thu., Sep. 18 : Opening at 1:00 PM due to staff development
- Mon., Oct. 13 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' 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
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Scanner
- Street parking (free)
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
Family Storytime at Glen Foerd!
Thu, July 3, 2025
10:30 A.M.
Enjoy story time at the historic and beautiful Glen Foerd mansion. For ages 1 to 5 with an accompanying adult. Presented by Torresdale and Welsh Rd Libraries! Hope to see you there! Thursdays, 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/31 Glen Foerd is located at 5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114,…
Family Storytime at Glen Foerd!
Thu, July 10, 2025
10:30 A.M.
Enjoy story time at the historic and beautiful Glen Foerd mansion. For ages 1 to 5 with an accompanying adult. Presented by Torresdale and Welsh Rd Libraries! Hope to see you there! Thursdays, 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/31 Glen Foerd is located at 5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114,…
Family Storytime at Glen Foerd!
Thu, July 17, 2025
10:30 A.M.
Enjoy story time at the historic and beautiful Glen Foerd mansion. For ages 1 to 5 with an accompanying adult. Presented by Torresdale and Welsh Rd Libraries! Hope to see you there! Thursdays, 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/31 Glen Foerd is located at 5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114,…
Family Storytime at Glen Foerd!
Thu, July 31, 2025
10:30 A.M.
Enjoy story time at the historic and beautiful Glen Foerd mansion. For ages 1 to 5 with an accompanying adult. Presented by Torresdale and Welsh Rd Libraries! Hope to see you there! Thursdays, 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/31 Glen Foerd is located at 5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114,…
About
In addition to Torresdale, the library serves the communities of Academy Gardens, Ashton-Woodbridge, Holme Circle, Pennypack, Pennypack Woods, and Upper Holmesburg.
History
The first settlers in the Torresdale area were the Swedes and then the English, who were possibly led by Thomas Holme, the Surveyor-General who helped William Penn lay out much of the original city of Philadelphia. In 1682, Holme received a grant of 1,646 acres from Penn. He is buried near the library, in Crispin Cemetery.
The area was originally part of Lower Dublin Township, and the earliest record of it is 1693. It was known as Delaware Township from 1852-1854, and then it became part of the city of Philadelphia. The area began to develop around 1850, when Charles Macalester bought a large tract of land and named it "Torrisdale," after his family's estate in Scotland.
The Torresdale Branch of the Free Library opened in February 1972. It features wooden cathedral ceilings. The library was renovated in 1999 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign.
A highlight of the building is the Mother Goose mural in the preschool area. It has Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, and a real clock with a painted mouse.