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., Feb. 20 : Closed Presidents' Day
- Fri., Apr. 7 : Closed Good Friday
- Sun., Apr. 9 : Closed Easter
- Mon., May. 29 : Closed Memorial 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
Author Visit: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Join award-winning author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow on Friday, January 27th, at 10:30am for a very special Preschool storytime in the Montgomery Auditorium! She will read aloud from two of her…
Introducing Digital Skills: Computer Basics
Join the digital skills learning circle and learn with us. We'll use online courses designed to help you learn the basics. Bring your own device or we can provide a laptop if necessary. More…
Teen Video Games
Join us for video games at the Field Teen Center every Friday! We play a variety of games. New players and experienced pros welcome. Programs at the Field Teen Center are open to…
One Magenta Afternoon: Remembering and Re-envisioning Black Queer Creative Expression - Film Screening and Discussion
Chronicling Resistance: The Exhibition asserts that "what was lost can be found again in new poems, stories, songs, and dances." Like the Black queer Philadelphia…
Departments
-
Art Department
-
Business Resource and Innovation Center
-
Children's Department
-
Children's Literature Research Collection
-
Culinary Literacy Center
-
Drinker Collection
-
Education Philosophy and Religion Department
-
Field Teen Center
-
First Floor Gallery East
-
First Floor Gallery West
-
Fleisher Collection
-
General Information Department
-
Government Publications Department
-
Heim Center for Cultural and Civic Engagement
-
Homebound Services
-
Interlibrary Loan
-
Literature Department
-
Map Collection
-
Music Department
-
Newspapers and Microfilm Center
-
Patent and Trademark Resource Center
-
Philbrick Hall
-
Print and Picture Collection
-
Rare Book Department
-
Regional Foundation Center
-
Science and Wellness
-
Second Floor Gallery West
-
Senior Services
-
Social Science and History Department
-
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.