Parkway Central Library

1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
between 19th and 20th Streets on the Parkway
Open today 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, 9/8 Closed
Monday, 9/9 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 9/10 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. *
Wednesday, 9/11 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, 9/12 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, 9/13 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9/14 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • * Tuesday has hour changes – Presidential Debate
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

  • Mon., Oct. 14 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
  • Mon., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
  • Thu., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
  • Wed., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas 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

Fall Family Storytime at Sister Cities Park!

Tue, September 10, 2024 10:30 A.M.

Join Miss Mary for Fall Family Storytime! This in-person, outdoor storytime will take place at Sister Cities Park and is in collaboration with Center City District. In the case of unfavorable…

Excel Functions Employers Value: Virtual Full Circle Career Workshop

Tue, September 10, 2024 12:00 P.M.

Learn the Excel functions employers value: IF statements, VLOOKUP, TRIM, RIGHT and LEFT, plus a basic review of Basic Math (PEMDAS) for formula writing. To join, please register here . Zoom…

* CANCELED* PA CareerLinkĀ® Job Search Assistance

Tue, September 10, 2024 2:00 P.M.

Meet with a Community Workforce Connector from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for one-on-one job search assistance. Get individualized support with résumé development, career…

CANCELLED - Teen Video Games

Tue, September 10, 2024 3:30 P.M.

** Due to increased activity and disrupted traffic patterns as a result of Tuesday's Presidential Debate, the Field Teen Center will close at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 9/10. ** Join…

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
Rare Book Tour
  • Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m.
Please meet in the Third Floor lobby of the Rare Book Department.
View historical artifacts like 5,000-year-old tablets, Medieval manuscripts, the raven that inspired Poe's famous poem.
No reservations are required.

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.