Cecil B. Moore Library

Cecil B. Moore Library Serving North Central Philadelphia, Strawberry Mansion, Brewerytown, Sharswood, and the Johnson Homes.

Originally named the Columbia Avenue Branch, the library opened for business on April 10, 1962. This branch succeeded the Wagner Institute Branch, located at 17th and Montgomery. Wagner Institute Branch was the first extension, or branch, of the Free Library, opening on October 18, 1892. It still exists at 17th and Montgomery as a science and natural history museum. Cecil Bassett Moore was a lawye

r and civil rights activist who led the fight to integrate Girard College, president of the local NAACP, and member of Philadelphia's City Council. With the help of high school students gathering signatures for a petition, the names of the street and branch were changed in 1987 to honor Moore. While visiting the library, you might notice the mural in the children's room, "Let Beauty Fill Their Eyes." It was painted by David Lawrence and portrait artist Rhasaan Fort in 2000. The mosaic in the vestibule, "Integration of Science and Art," was completed in 1963 by Edna Andrade. The library was renovated in 1996 as part of the "Changing Lives" campaign, which refurbished branches and brought Web access to every library.

06/05/2026
June is a big month!
06/02/2026

June is a big month!

All summer long, we are hosting a very special arts series called "Arts of Cecil B. Moore Ave at Ridge."Each workshop wi...
05/28/2026

All summer long, we are hosting a very special arts series called "Arts of Cecil B. Moore Ave at Ridge."

Each workshop will be inspired by the art, architecture, and archives of Cecil B. Moore Library. These sessions will feature mosaic-making, collage, clay sculpture, painting, archives, and graffiti.

Throughout the summer, Cecil B. Moore Library will host a series of hands-on workshops that celebrate its rich artistic and political history in Sharswood. Led by local artists, these sessions…

TODAY at Cecil B. Moore Library! Multiple employers will be in attendance, and we will have job seeker and resume suppor...
05/21/2026

TODAY at Cecil B. Moore Library! Multiple employers will be in attendance, and we will have job seeker and resume support.

Thursday, May 21st from 10am-2pm.

Our Tuesday Toddler and Pre-K Storytime with Ms. Kate has moved to 11am! Please join us. Families and schools are welcom...
05/20/2026

Our Tuesday Toddler and Pre-K Storytime with Ms. Kate has moved to 11am!

Please join us. Families and schools are welcome to attend.

We have an adult cake decorating class coming up on Saturday. Please reach out to register in advance.
04/27/2026

We have an adult cake decorating class coming up on Saturday.

Please reach out to register in advance.

It's time to ask for donations for summer programming!tinyurl.com/cbmsummerWe get an influx of kids all day long in the ...
04/24/2026

It's time to ask for donations for summer programming!

tinyurl.com/cbmsummer

We get an influx of kids all day long in the summer. We need a much higher volume of craft and activity supplies. Please use our Amazon wish list to purchase some for us.

Our calendar has a few additions! Ms. Sierra's computer classes just dropped.
04/06/2026

Our calendar has a few additions! Ms. Sierra's computer classes just dropped.

We are open today-- Wednesday, January 29, 2026.
01/29/2026

We are open today-- Wednesday, January 29, 2026.

Address

2320 Cecil B Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
19121

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6am
Tuesday 10am - 6am
Wednesday 10am - 6am
Thursday 10am - 6am
Friday 10am - 5am
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Website

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