Parkway Central Library
| 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 | Closed |
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., Dec. 25 : Closed Christmas Day
- Mon., Jan. 1 : Closed New Year's Day
- Mon., Jan. 15 : Closed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Mon., Feb. 19 : Closed Presidents' 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
Music and Movement!
Join Ms Naomi for songs, dance, and fun explorations of rhythm and movement! This program is intended for our friends ages 6 and under and their caregivers. Wednesdays at 10:30am, outdoorin…
Homeschool Book Club
Join us to discuss books and life and drink tea! This program is for homeschoolers in grades 4th-6th. We will be discussing When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller. Call 215-686-5369 or…
Homemade Holiday Cards with Sew What?! Afternoon Sewcial-Needle Crafts
Sew What?! Is a clever and creative get together for crafters who do crochet, knitting, sewing, embroidery, quilting, felting, and more. Want to share what you're making with other…
Read to a Therapy Dog!
Independent readers and children who are learning to read are invited to practice their reading skills with a certified therapy dog from Comfort Caring Canines. Yes, you can pet them, too! Dogs…
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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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
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.