Parkway Central Library
Reference service is now available 12-4 pm Monday through Friday at the Parkway Central Library. Drop in service is in the lobby, and the subject departments will schedule appointments for individual research. Look for the appointment link in each department page.
Children's librarians will be available 2-4 pm Monday through Friday in the lobby at the Parkway Central Library!
There is a browsing collection selected by the children's librarians available for self checkout borrowing in the lobby in front of the Chidlren's service desk.
While the department is closed, you may return Children's materials to the drop box on Wood Street or in the lobby.
Welcome to Parkway Central Library! To help limit the impact and spread of COVID-19, the Parkway Central Library is offering limited services 12-4 pm Monday through Friday.
GOOD NEWS! Parkway Central is offering self service holds pickup and checkout. Assistance is available if needed.
If you need contactless pickup between 10am-12 noon call us at 215-686-5320 to set up your appointment to pick up DVDs, music CDs, hardback and paperback books, audiobook CDs, Large Print titles, and more for Children, Teens, Adults, and Seniors. Place your reserves online or by phone.
For general questions, please call our Free Library Call Center at 1-833-TALKFLP.
Be well and thank you for your support,
Parkway Central Staff
Please return all items to the Wood Street bookdrop box, as we are practicing safety measures due to COVID-19. The dropbox is open 24/7. The library is open for self service holds pick up, selected browsing shelves for children and teens, reference service and half hour computer reservations 12-4pm Monday through Friday..
Sunday | Closed |
Monday | 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Tuesday | 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Wednesday | 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Thursday | 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Friday | 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Saturday | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., May. 31 : Closed Memorial Day
- Sat., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
- Sun., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
- Mon., Jul. 5 : Closed Independence Day (Observed)
Services By Appointment
Services
- Book Drop
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Computer Use
- Printing Services
- Reference Services
Facilities
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Street parking
- Baby changing station
- Computers for public use
- Handicapped accessible
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Scanner
- Self-service checkout
- Street parking
- Public restrooms
Upcoming Events
The Art Librarian is IN
Stop by for a 30-45 minute video chat with a librarian from the Art Department to virtually browse a library shelf one book at a time, see what new circulating books and magazines have…
Virtual Ask the Banker
Don’t miss your chance to ask the banker! Get your important business questions answered directly from the source. This session will cover types of commercial banks and loans, what you need…
Making Her Mark: Philadelphia Women Fight for the Vote: Self-Guided Tour
The Making Her Mark exhibition, open by appointment weekday afternoons in the West Gallery of the Parkway Central Library, offers a look at the stories of Philadelphia women who built and…
Making Her Mark: Philadelphia Women Fight for the Vote: Self-Guided Tour
The Making Her Mark exhibition, open by appointment weekday afternoons in the West Gallery of the Parkway Central Library, offers a look at the stories of Philadelphia women who built and…
Departments
-
Art Department
-
Business Resource and Innovation Center
-
Children's Department
-
Children's Literature Research Collection
-
Culinary Literacy Center
-
Drinker Collection
-
Education Philosophy and Religion Department
-
First Floor Gallery East
-
First Floor Gallery West
-
Fleisher Collection
-
General Information Department
-
Government Publications Department
-
Heim Center for Civic and Cultural Engagement
-
Homebound Services
-
Interlibrary Loan
-
Literature Department
-
Map Collection
-
Music Department
-
Newspapers and Microfilm Center
-
Patent and Trademark Resource Center
-
Philbrick Hall
-
Print and Picture Collection
-
Rare Book Department
-
Regional Foundation Center
-
Science and Wellness
-
Second Floor Gallery West
-
Senior Services
-
Social Science and History Department
-
Teen Center
-
Theatre Collection
-
Workplace
About
Parkway Central Library Welcomes You [A downloadable self-guided tour]
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.