The Academy of Natural Sciences and the Free Library of Philadelphia are old friends. For over 100 years, they have existed across from each other on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, educating and entertaining Philadelphians.

In celebration of the relationship between the Free Library and the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Academy has given Parkway Central Library free three-day passes to the Academy! The program begins on Monday, September 29, 2025, and concludes on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Each pass is valid for up to two adults and five children, and guarantees free entry to all exhibitions and displays at the Academy during regular business hours — no time tickets are required.

See below for the detailed rules of the program:

• Passes must be checked out from and returned to the Central Children’s Department at Parkway Central Library in person. 
• Passes are good for up to two adults and five children.
• Passes must be checked out with an adult library card in good standing.
• Patrons who lose the passes will have their cards barred.
• The loan period per pass is for three days. No holds or renewals are allowed. 
• A patron can only check out the pass once per month. 
• You must present the free pass (not your library card) to gain free entry to the Academy.
• Pass holders can visit Dinosaur Hall, the dioramas, Outside In, and the current special exhibition(s) at any time during public hours without a timed ticket. 
• Pass borrowers must sign the Academy of Natural Sciences Free Pass Lending agreement.

For more information about this program, contact Joe Shemtov at shemtovj@freelibrary.org.