Parkway Central Library

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
Open today until 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 10/6 Closed
Monday, 10/7 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 10/8 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 10/9 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, 10/10 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, 10/11 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. *
Saturday, 10/12 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • * Friday has hour changes – preparation for the Indigenous Peoples' Day
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 10:00 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
Parkway Central Library
Donate to Parkway Central Library

Get Directions | Public Transportation

Services

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

La Hora de Cuentos Familiar Bilingüe en Español: Un Viaje a Perú
Thu, October 10, 2024 10:30 A.M.

Únase a nosotros para la Hora de Cuentos Familiar Bilingüe en Español que celebra la diversidad, la inclusión, el bilingüismo y el biculturalismo. Como parte de la…

Military History Club: World War II Leaders - Winston Churchill
Thu, October 10, 2024 11:00 A.M.

Join our monthly discussion group! We are continuing a discussion series centered on leaders during World War II. This month's discussion will be about Winston Churchill. The group meets from…

Conceptos Básicos Para Redactar Un Curriculum Vitae (CV): Talleres virtuales en español para búsqueda de empleo - Full Circle Career Workshop
Thu, October 10, 2024 12:00 P.M.

¿Estás empezando a buscar trabajo y escribiendo el primer borrador de tu currículum?  Si es así, ¡este taller es para usted!  Elaborar un buen…

Resume Review with Dress For Success
Thu, October 10, 2024 12:30 P.M.

Need to refresh your resume? We're excited to partner with  Dress for Success Greater Philadelphia  to offer resume review services and job search assistance on the first Thursday of…

View all Parkway Central Library events
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.