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 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 5/28 Closed
Monday, 5/29 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed *
Tuesday, 5/30 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 5/31 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 6/1 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 6/2 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 6/3 Closed
  • * Monday has hour changes – Memorial Day
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., Jun. 19 : Closed Juneteenth
  • Tue., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
  • Mon., Sep. 4 : Closed Labor Day
  • Mon., Oct. 9 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
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

Feet First Fridays!
Fri, June 2, 2023 9:00 A.M.

Grab your sneakers and water bottle, we're going on a walk! Enjoy the great outdoors, exercise, and get to know your community. Whether you are an advanced or beginner walker, this club is for…

Gadget Help?
Fri, June 2, 2023 10:15 A.M.

Need one on one help with your gadgets? Our Digital Resource Specialist are taking appointmsnets to help with computer tablets, smart phone, and other electronics devices. Call or visit the Gadget…

Preschool Storytime with Ms. Scout
Fri, June 2, 2023 10:30 A.M.

Join Ms. Scout for stories, songs, and rhymes, and stay for playtime afterwards! Intended for our friends ages 6 and under and their caregivers. In good weather, this program will…

Bookmaking and Collage as a Ritual
Fri, June 2, 2023 12:00 P.M.

This workshop series will highlight the genres of bookmaking and collaging. Through the exploration of these practices students will learn how to build their own journals. Each week we will…

View all Parkway Central Library events

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.