Dwight Evans Library of West Oak Lane
| 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 | Closed |
- * 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 | Closed |
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 By Appointment
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
- Computer lab
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Handicapped accessible
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Parking lot
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Street parking (free)
- Street parking
- Study rooms
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
Beginner Computer Class
Tue, July 1, 2025
1:00 P.M.
Join us for a series of eight sessions designed to help you gain confidence using technology, especially for beginners. Each week we'll cover key topics to help you navigate the digital world. No previous experience is needed - just a willingness to learn. Some of the topics covered will be:…
Yoga Storytime
Wed, July 2, 2025
11:00 A.M.
Stretch, breath, and imagine! This playful program combines children's stories with beginner-friendly yoga poses and calming mindfulness exercises. As we read picture books aloud, kids will act out characters and scenes using yoga movements - like becoming tall trees, fluttering butterflies,…
Healthy Snack Break
Mon, July 7, 2025
11:00 A.M.
Join us for a delightful blend of healthy snacks and summer reading fun! This weekly program is perfect for kids to recharge with nutritious treats while diving into exciting stories that spark imagination and curiosity. This program is for kids of all ages. Children under 7 years old must…
Crafty Tuesdays
Tue, July 8, 2025
11:15 A.M.
Get creative and dive into stories with us. This hands-on summer reading program combines books and art! Each week, kids will enjoy a read-aloud session followed by a themed craft inspired by the story. This program is open to kids of all ages. Children under 7 must be accompanied by a guardian.…
About
Located at the intersection of 74th Avenue, Washington Lane, and Limekiln Pike, the West Oak Lane Branch serves West Oak Lane and parts of Cedarbrook, Ivy Hill, and East Mt. Airy.
Find us on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/WOLLibrary to see our programs and activities!
History
Before 1854, when the area became incorporated into the city of Philadelphia, the future neighborhood of West Oak Lane was made up of settlements called Pleasantville, Cedar Park and Pittville. As the region was mostly farmland in the 19th century, they were not really towns, just crossroads or a few acres of cleared land.
It is reported that a realtor began calling this collection of settlements West Oak Lane to distinguish it from Oak Lane, which occupied the area east of Old York Road and Broad Street. The area was officially named West Oak Lane in 1925, when real estate development began in earnest.
Limekiln Pike takes its name from the limestone quarries in Montgomery County, the road's original terminus. This old road, running north-south through the West Oak Lane community, was a toll road from 1735 to 1903. One of the toll gatehouses still stands.
A block away, Ogontz Avenue is named for Chief Ogontz, a Native American who entertained Civil War financier Jay Cooke when Cooke was a boy at his family's home in Sandusky Ohio. In 1865, Cooke named his Oak Lane mansion for Chief Ogontz.
The West Oak Lane Branch first opened to the public on August 26, 1957. 2,000 people visited the library during the first hour it was open. In 1980, disaster struck, and the West Oak Lane Branch was almost totally destroyed by fire. After reconstruction, it re-opened in 1985. The library was renovated in 2000 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which brought Internet access to every branch.
Look for sculptures of abstract mask forms in the picture book area. Artist Charles Searles created them, reflecting his American, African and Native American heritage.