Since Parkway Central Library opened in 1927, patrons have had free and open access to its rich and unique collections, expanding services, and professionally trained and welcoming staff. The robust programs and collections available are impressive, but some patrons may not be familiar with all of them. To promote these resources, we've asked library staff to highlight their subject departments and the patron resources they offer to help shed light on all the benefits of becoming a patron of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Do you need ...

• Help with homework?
• To learn how to play chess?
• To play with Legos?
• A great book to read?
• To hang out with your baby and other babies/toddlers and their caregivers?

Then the Central Children’s Department is your place! Visit us on the Ground Floor of Parkway Central in Room 22 — accessible by our own entrance on 20th Street or, if you need a ramp, through the rear entrance on Wood Street.

The Central Children’s Department (CCD) is staffed with five librarians and 11 library assistants excited to talk about what you’re reading and what you should read next. We offer three storytimes weekly at 10:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Miss Mary will offer Fall storytimes at Sister Cities Park on Tuesday mornings and we will also provide storytimes in Spanish and other languages. In the afternoons, we provide homework help, a monthly book club and pajama storytime, building and Lego club, Read to a Therapy Dog, and many more child-friendly programs! Our department is also a nice place to just hang out. Visit our department to read, color, or chat with our pet Betta fish, Blueberry.

We have a plethora of nonfiction, picture books, Early Readers, chapter books, series, and graphic novels. In addition, our collection includes audiobooks, DVDs, video games, and children’s books in more than 50 different languages!

Our Fall hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Follow CCD on Instagram and Facebook, subscribe to our newsletter, pick up a monthly programming calendar, or take a look at the Events page on the Free Library’s website to find out what’s happening in the Central Children’s Department. Contact us via email at erefccd@freelibrary.org.