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
- Mon., Sep. 5 : Closed Labor Day
- Mon., Oct. 10 : Closed Indigenous People Day
- Fri., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 24 : Closed Thanksgiving 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
Read Baby Read: Baby & Toddler Storytime!
Join Miss Mary for stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces at Shakespeare Park, across the street from the library! Stay for playtime immediately following storytime! Intended for our friends ages 2…
Still Doing Life: 22 Lifers, 25 Years Later
Opens for public view on Monday June 27th . Special after hours opening reception Thursday June 30th 6:00 - 8:00 pm . Please RSVP on Eventbrite for the reception. This exhibition of a…
Movie Mondays
A new movie every Monday screening at the Field Teen Center. Programs at the Field Teen Center are open to individuals ages 12 to 18. Contact TeenCenter@freelibrary.org or call 215-686-5395…
Introduction to Proposal Writing
This workshop will be held in person at the Parkway Central Library. Are you new to proposal writing or want a quick refresher? This workshop will provide you with an overview of how to write…
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 Cultural and Civic 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.