Parkway Central Library

1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
between 19th and 20th Streets on the Parkway
Open today until 5:00 p.m.
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

  • Wed., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
  • Wed., Jan. 1 : Closed New Year's Day
  • Mon., Jan. 20 : Closed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Mon., Feb. 17 : Closed Presidents' Day
View all holiday closings

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

Book Paper Scissors

Sat, December 7, 2024 10:00 A.M.

Book Paper Scissors is an artists’ book fair, free and open to the public. 2024 marks the 15th year of the fair held at the library in collaboration with the Philadelphia Center…

Exhibition Tour: Telling Tales: From Oral Tradition to Art

Sat, December 7, 2024 11:00 A.M.

Join us Saturday, December 7 at 11 AM for a tour of the latest exhibition from the Free Library's Special Collections Division:  Telling Tales: From Oral Tradition to…

Exhibition Tour: Telling Tales: From Oral Tradition to Art

Sat, December 7, 2024 11:00 A.M.

Join us Saturday, December 7 at 11 AM for a tour of the latest exhibition from the Free Library's Special Collections Division:  Telling Tales: From Oral Tradition to…

Novels In Progress - Thorns & Roses: A Stem by Lauren Holguin and STOPPING by Nikki Volpicelli

Sat, December 7, 2024 2:00 P.M.

Molly's Bookstore presents Novels in Progress Series. Thorns & Roses: A Stem by Lauren Holguin Poet and burnt out elementary teacher Lola is devastated by the death of her beloved…

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.