Parkway Central Library
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Sat., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
- Sat., Jan. 1 : Closed New Year's Day
- Mon., Jan. 17 : Closed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Mon., Feb. 21 : Closed Presidents' Day
Services By Appointment
Services
- Book Drop
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Computer Use
- Printing Services
- Reference Services
- Browse Shelves
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
Registration Closed Virtual Ask a Nonprofit Expert: Strategic Planning
Registration has closed. If you are interested in RSVP VEC's services you can reach out to them directly. Ask a nonprofit expert about your organization's strategic plan. The…
Virtual Bite-Sized Baby & Toddler Storytime
Do you or your child have a favorite board book Miss Mary reads? Or perhaps a favorite song or fingerplay? Join Miss Mary virtually for a bite-sized Baby & Toddler Storytime video of one book…
Anatomy Eats with Chef Ari Miller and Dr. Jonathan Reisman
Anatomy Eats is a one-of-a-kind dinner collaboration between a chef and a medical doctor. Guests will learn about their own bodies by understanding the anatomy and physiology of the animals…
Virtual Start Telling Your Story Using GuideStar
Start telling your nonprofit’s story online using your nonprofit profile on GuideStar , and find out how you can share up-to-date information with millions of…
Departments
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Art Department
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Business Resource and Innovation Center
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Children's Department
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Children's Literature Research Collection
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Culinary Literacy Center
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Drinker Collection
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Education Philosophy and Religion Department
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Field Teen Center
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First Floor Gallery East
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First Floor Gallery West
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Fleisher Collection
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General Information Department
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Government Publications Department
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Heim Center for Civic and Cultural Engagement
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Homebound Services
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Interlibrary Loan
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Literature Department
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Map Collection
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Music Department
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Newspapers and Microfilm Center
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Patent and Trademark Resource Center
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Philbrick Hall
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Print and Picture Collection
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Rare Book Department
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Regional Foundation Center
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Science and Wellness
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Second Floor Gallery West
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Senior Services
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Social Science and History Department
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Theatre Collection
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Workplace
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.