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 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., Sep. 2 : Closed Labor Day
- Mon., Oct. 14 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
- Mon., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
Services
- Book Drop
- Browse Shelves
- Computer Use
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Printing Services
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
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
"The Automat" Film Screening and Filmmaker Q&A
Join us for a screening of The Automat followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker, Lisa Hurwitz. Featuring photographs from the Free Library of Philadelphia's Print and Picture…
Theatre Writers Gathering in Philadelphia
Join us at our Theatre Writer Advocacy Session on Saturday, July 27, from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, featuring our new Philadelphia Affinity Regional Rep, Will Vence Jr, and our new…
Read Baby Read: Baby & Toddler Storytime!
Join Miss Mary for stories, songs, rhymes, and bounces! Stay for playtime immediately following storytime! Intended for our friends ages 2 and under and their caregivers. Nice weather? We'll…
Philadelphia Department of Health @ Parkway Central Library
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health offers immunizations and health outreach services at the Central Library. Our services include providing information on vaccines for all ages,…
Parkway Central Library Tours
- Monday and Tuesday 10:00 a.m.
- Wednesday and Thursday 2:00 p.m.
- Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m.
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
-
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.