Parkway Central Library

1-833-TALK FLP (825-5357) Call our helpline or Contact Us.
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
between 19th and 20th Streets on the Parkway
Open today 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 11/9 Closed
Monday, 11/10 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. *
Tuesday, 11/11 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Closed *
Wednesday, 11/12 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, 11/13 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, 11/14 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 11/15 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • * Monday had hour changes – in observance of Veterans Day
  • * Tuesday had hour changes – Veterans 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 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Upcoming Closures

  • Thu., Nov. 27 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
  • Fri., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Friday
  • Thu., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
View all holiday closings
Parkway Central Library
Donate to Parkway Central Library

Get Directions | Public Transportation

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
  • Screen magnify tools
  • Self-service checkout
  • Street parking (metered)
  • Street parking
  • Study rooms
  • Water fountain
  • Wireless internet access (wi/fi)

Upcoming Events

Amateur (HAM) Radio Testing Session (Philadelphia Volunteer Examiners)

Amateur (HAM) Radio Testing Session (Philadelphia Volunteer Examiners)

Sat, November 15, 2025 11:00 A.M. This event has already happened.

This event is an Amateur Radio Volunteer Examiner (VE) Session hosted by the Free Library Amateur Radio Club and the Philly VEs. Available for anyone who wishes to take a US FCC Amateur Radio exam. All license classes (Technician, General, and Amateur Extra) are available to…

PhilHarmonia Presents: Crossing the Narrow Bridge

PhilHarmonia Presents: Crossing the Narrow Bridge

Sat, November 15, 2025 3:00 P.M. This event has already happened.

Join PhilHarmonia for a free afternoon concert at the Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch, on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM. This uplifting program celebrates the joy found in everyday life and encourages us to set aside unnecessary fears shaped by outside voices.…

MEDICARE MONDAYS

MEDICARE MONDAYS

Mon, November 17, 2025 10:00 A.M.

REGISTER

✨ Got Medicare questions? ✨ Courtney Bell is back to help you make sense of it all! Join us in person for an easy, open Q&A where you can learn how Medicare works—and how it can work for YOU. ✅ Bring your questions ✅ Get clear answers ✅ Walk away with confidence See you on Mondays!

Business & Bagels: Intro to Reference Solutions

Business & Bagels: Intro to Reference Solutions

Mon, November 17, 2025 10:00 A.M.

Grab a coffee and a bagel, and give your business a boost with Reference Solutions! In the session you will learn how to: Access Reference Solutions from home through freelibrary.org  Identify new sales prospects Create customized business and consumer marketing lists Identify key business…

View all Parkway Central Library events
Free Tours

Parkway Central Library Tours

One Hour Tour   All Ages Welcome
Exterior of Parkway Central Library
Historic Building Tour
  • Monday and Tuesday 10:00 a.m.
  •  Wednesday and Thursday 2:00 p.m.
Please meet in the main First Floor lobby.
Explore the grand Beaux-Arts building of Parkway Central Library, an important part of Philadelphia's past and present that opened in 1927 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The specialized tour showcases unique architecture and history, while covering the many collections and services that make the Free Library such a valuable and critical resource.
No reservations are required. However groups of 10 or more are encouraged to submit a Group Tour Request.
Group Tour Request

Departments

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.