Parkway Central Library
| Sunday, 6/30 | Closed |
| Monday, 7/1 | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, 7/2 | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, 7/3 | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, 7/4 |
Closed * |
| Friday, 7/5 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, 7/6 | Closed |
- * Thursday has hour changes – Independence Day
| 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 | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Thu., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Mon., Sep. 2 : Closed Labor Day
- Mon., Oct. 14 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
- Mon., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
Services
- Book Drop
- Browse Shelves
- Computer Use
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Printing Services
- Reference Services
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
- Self-service checkout
- Street parking
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
Family Storytime at Parkway Pals!
Join Miss Mary for a Family Storytime and to-go craft, while supplies last! This in-person, outdoor storytime will take place at Sister Cities Park and is in collaboration with Center City…
Free Library Chess Club
Are you looking for a place to play chess, or are you interested in learning how to play? Join us on Tuesdays from 5:00-7:30 pm in the Heim Center on the First Floor. We have 20 chess sets and a…
Author Visit: Jennifer C. Berkshire, co-author of The Education Wars
Join us as we welcome Jennifer C. Berkshire, a freelance journalist and host of education podcast Have You Heard . Berkshire will be discussing the release of her new book, The…
Night Raven Gaming Society
New to 40k... come and learn to play... experienced players we have organized play.... Assemble forces for historical battles in WWII, Vietnam, Middle East and even Modern conflicts. The…
Parkway Central Library Tours
- Monday and Tuesday 10:00 a.m.
- Wednesday and Thursday 2:00 p.m.
- Monday – Saturday 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.