Torresdale Library

3079 Holme Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19136-1101
Holme Ave. & Willits Rd.
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

  • 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
  • Photocopier (black/white)
  • Printing (black/white)
  • Public restrooms
  • Scanner
  • Street parking (free)
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Spooky Storytime at Glen Foerd for Halloween!

Thu, October 30, 2025 10:30 A.M.

Little ones and their caregivers are invited to a special "spooky" Halloween story time at beautiful Glen Foerd on the Delaware.   Children are encouraged to come in costume but not required   For ages 6 months to 4 years old with adult caregiver.  Come and get…

Storytime with the Geography Lady at Glen Foerd-India!

Thu, November 6, 2025 10:30 A.M.

Storytime with Torresdale Library, the Geography Lady, and Glen Foerd Would you like to see the world with your little one without leaving Philadelphia? Join the Geography Lady at Glen Foerd for a special series of around the world storytimes! We will be exploring five different countries…

Storytime with the Geography Lady at Glen Foerd-Australia!

Thu, November 13, 2025 10:30 A.M.

Storytime with Torresdale Library, the Geography Lady, and Glen Foerd Would you like to see the world with your little one without leaving Philadelphia? Join the Geography Lady at Glen Foerd for a special series of around the world storytimes! We will be exploring five different countries…

Lights Around the World with the Geography Lady!

Tue, December 16, 2025 4:00 P.M.

Lights Around the World with the Geography Lady! As the days get shorter, lights get brighter. Join us as we travel around the world looking at how so many people use light to celebrate the winter holidays. Stories, maps, sensory, games, and lots of lights await at this all-ages program. …

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.