Parkway Central Library
Upcoming Events
Family Wellness Hour
Join Team Nourishing Literacy for wellness, food and literacy activities! Family members of all ages are invited to join us in literacy, movement, and cooking activities! We will meet over Zoom…
Virtual Storytelling Workshop with ASAP Drama
In this interactive workshop series, children and teens will focus on the 5Ws (Who, What, When, Where, and Why) to learn effective storytelling practices, through a range of engaging activities…
VIRTUAL | COVID-19 & Standardized Testing: ACT/SAT Admissions Updates
Join the Field Teen Center and The Alexander Advantage on Instagram Live ( @flpteencenter ) for updates and a Q&A regarding Standardized Testing during COVID-19. We will explore…
Virtual Sundays on Stage: Keepers of the Culture
Ubuntu! I am because we are. Stories, songs & poetry on the essence of being human. 24th Annual Family Day Celebration with Keepers of the Culture ( kotcinc.org ). Celebrate the…
Departments
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Art Department
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Automobile Reference Collection
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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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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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Teen Center
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Theatre Collection
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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.