Parkway Central Library

Wednesday, February 3 – Message from Staff

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.

Tuesday, February 2 – Message from Staff

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.

Tuesday, February 2 – Message from Staff

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

Tuesday, February 2 – Message from 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..

1-833-TALK FLP (825-5357) Call our helpline or Contact Us.
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
between 19th and 20th Streets on the Parkway
Closed Today
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

  • Fri., Apr. 2 : Closed Good Friday
  • Sun., Apr. 4 : Closed Easter
  • Mon., May. 31 : Closed Memorial Day
  • Sat., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
View all holiday closings
Parkway Central Library
Donate to Parkway Central Library

Get Directions | Public Transportation

Services By Appointment

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

Winter Mail Art Exchange
Sun, February 28, 2021 5:00 P.M.

Mail art is a perfect way to stay creative and connect with others as we're entering the coldest season and spending as much time as possible safely at home.  Would you like to join…

Virtual Baby Storytime with Miss Mary
Mon, March 1, 2021 10:30 A.M.

Join Miss Mary for Baby Storytime on Facebook live (ParkwayCentralChildrens) Mondays at 10:30 am! Enjoy stories, songs, and fun! The storytime will be available on our Facebook page…

Virtual Reference Desk
Mon, March 1, 2021 2:00 P.M.

BRIC’s business librarian misses you! Stop by the Virtual Reference Desk if you have a quick question for the librarian.  The Virtual Reference Desk will be staffed from 2:00pm to…

VIRTUAL | Teen Reading Lounge
Mon, March 1, 2021 3:30 P.M.

Teen Reading Lounge is an award-winning, nontraditional book club for teens ages 12-18. Teens help to create the reading list for the program and, working with trained facilitators, to design…

View all Parkway Central Library events

Departments

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.