Parkway Central Library
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., Sep. 2 : Closed Labor Day
- Mon., Oct. 14 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
- Mon., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving 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
- Change machine
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Handicapped accessible
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Scanner
- Screen magnify tools
- Self-service checkout
- Street parking (metered)
- Street parking
- Study rooms
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
Preschool Storytime
Join Scout for stories, songs, and rhymes, and stay for playtime afterwards! Intended for our friends ages 6 and under and their caregivers. In good weather, this program will be…
Chair Yoga
Join us for a 1-hour gentle yoga practice that uses a chair for seating and balance. Taught by Janet McAllister Faulls, a registered yoga teacher with over 13 years of experience in…
Courageous Kids: Wilma Exhibit
In partnership with Philadelphia Doll Museum Forward , we now have on display Wilma alongside related library materials and activities. Wilma was made to honor four brave Black girls named Ruby…
POSTPONED! Postcard Printmaking Workshop
POSTPONED to August 10th Drop in for this free hands-on printmaking workshop led by Da Vinci Art Alliance artist fellow Felisa Adderley centered around topics of mass…
Parkway Central Library Tours
- Monday and Tuesday 10:00 a.m.
- Wednesday and Thursday 2:00 p.m.
- Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m.
Departments
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Art Department
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Business Resource and Innovation Center
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Children's Department
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Children's Literature Research Collection
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Culinary Literacy Center
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Drinker Collection
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Education Philosophy and Religion Department
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Field Teen Center
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First Floor Gallery East
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First Floor Gallery West
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Fleisher Collection
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General Information Department
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Government Publications Department
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Heim Center for Cultural and Civic Engagement
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Interlibrary Loan
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Literature Department
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Map Collection
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Music Department
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Newspapers and Microfilm Center
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Patent and Trademark Resource Center
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Philbrick Hall
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Print and Picture Collection
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Rare Book Department
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Regional Foundation Center
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Science and Wellness
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Second Floor Gallery West
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Senior Services
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Social Science and History Department
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Theatre Collection
About
Parkway Central Library Welcomes You [A downloadable brochure for a self-guided tour]
Video Tour through Parkway Central [background blog post with embedded videos]
Designed by Julian Abele, a prominent African American architect from Philadelphia who worked in Horace Trumbauer’s firm, the Parkway Central Library first opened its doors on June 2, 1927. As an anchor cultural and educational institution on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, we welcome over 1 million visitors each year from the city, its countryside, and around the world. Our patrons come to learn from our public events, to consult our special collections, and to tap the expertise of our librarians and curators in each of the subject departments and special collections. On most days, volunteer docents offer architectural walks through the building.