Parkway Central Library
Greetings! We are opening our doors to the public Monday through Friday from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Due to COVID-19, public services are limited to: 30-minute computers, restrooms, holds pick-up, reference services, children's book corner, and social workers.
Please return all items to the Wood Street bookdrop box, as we are practicing safety measures due to COVID-19. The dropbox is open 24/7. Daily materials pick-up program (curbside) continues to operate Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., Oct. 12 : Closed Columbus Day
- Wed., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 26 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
- Fri., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
Facilities
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Handicapped accessible
- Street parking
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Screen magnify tools
- Screen-reading software (JAWS)
- Self-service checkout
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
VIRTUAL Nonprofit Nerds: Treat Yo Self - A Self-Care Manifesto for Nonprofit Workers During COVID-19
Are you a nonprofit worker or job seeker who's feeling busier than ever right now? Baby, it's time for a self-care intervention! About this Event Are you a nonprofit worker or job seeker…
Virtual Messy Mondays
Join Ms. Naomi in making a big mess! Pictures and instructions for fun sensory play with common household items. Geared at children of all ages. Everyone needs time to make a mess! Remember kids,…
Exploring Food & Music: Latin Edition
Do you enjoy music, food, and learning about different cultures? Join our Kitchen Manager, Naquawna, as she teaches us how to make Spanish Rice and Beans and gives a brief history of the Dominican…
VIRTUAL - Mock Interviews
Learn how to ace an online job interview! Schedule a virtual mock interview session between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to conquer difficult interview questions, set the scene for…
Departments
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Art Department
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Automobile Reference Collection
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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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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 Civic and Cultural Engagement
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Homebound Services
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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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Teen Center
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Theatre Collection
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Workplace
About
Parkway Central Library Welcomes You [A downloadable self-guided tour]
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.