The Rare Book Department, located on the Third Floor of Parkway Central Library, is closed as of November 4th, 2024 for the installation of a new HVAC system. 

Climate control is of the utmost importance for our Special Collections. Library materials that are stored, used, and exhibited in environments whose conditions fall outside the preferred ranges of temperature and relative humidity are more at risk for damage.

This closure will interrupt the usual activities of the Rare Book Department, the Children's Literature Research Collection, and the Theatre Collection, requiring a pause in our regular tours and research appointments. Response time in providing remote research assistance may be delayed, as many of our collections will be inaccessible during renovations. Nevertheless, we encourage you to contact us using the email address erefrbd@freelibrary.org and we will do our best to help!

While the Rare Book Department space won’t be accessible, we are committed to continuing programs throughout the closure. Join us in the lobby near the elevators every weekday at 11:00 a.m. for Rare Books Roadshow. There, you will be able to experience up close and personal some of the wonderful things from the collections.

Our tentative reopening day is June 2, 2025. In the meantime, we encourage you to keep in touch by following social media @freelibraryrarebooks to see what we’re doing!