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
Closed Today
Sunday, 6/29 Closed
Monday, 6/30 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 7/1 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 7/2 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, 7/3 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, 7/4 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed *
Saturday, 7/5 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • * Friday had hour changes – Independence Day
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 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Upcoming Closures

  • Fri., Jul. 4 : Closed Independence Day
  • Mon., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor Day
  • Mon., Oct. 13 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
  • Tue., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
View all holiday closings
Parkway Central Library
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Services

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

Read Baby Read: Baby & Toddler Storytime!

Read Baby Read: Baby & Toddler Storytime!

Mon, June 30, 2025 10:30 A.M.

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. Cooler weather? We'll have storytime in the auditorium on the ground floor! Warmer weather? We'll be…

English Conversation Group - Intermediate+

English Conversation Group - Intermediate+

Mon, June 30, 2025 11:00 A.M.

Build your confidence in speaking English while meeting other adults in a casual learning environment. No registration is required. This group is for intermediate/advanced English speakers and is led by Free Library volunteer Nancy. The group will meet in BRIC 60 on the ground floor. …

Nadia Salomon and London Ladd Author and Illustrator Visit

Nadia Salomon and London Ladd Author and Illustrator Visit

Mon, June 30, 2025 1:00 P.M.

Cost: FREE

Join us for an exciting author and illustrator presentation with Nadia Salomon and London Ladd who will both be in Philadelphia for the American Library Association Annual Conference.   A VOICE OF HOPE just won the Black Caucus of the American Library Association's BCALA…

Chess Club for Kids!

Chess Club for Kids!

Mon, June 30, 2025 4:00 P.M.

Join us each Monday from 4:00-4:45pm for Chess Club! Kids 12 and under are welcome to play and learn with support from a skilled chess player. All supplies provided. No experience is necessary; all skill levels welcome! This event will be held in the Story Hour Room, within the Central…

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Free Tours

Parkway Central Library Tours

One Hour Tour   All Ages Welcome
Exterior of Parkway Central Library
Historic Building Tour
  • Monday and Tuesday 10:00 a.m.
  •  Wednesday and Thursday 2:00 p.m.
Please meet in the main First Floor lobby.
Explore the grand Beaux-Arts building of Parkway Central Library, an important part of Philadelphia's past and present that opened in 1927 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The specialized tour showcases unique architecture and history, while covering the many collections and services that make the Free Library such a valuable and critical resource.
No reservations are required. However groups of 10 or more are encouraged to submit a Group Tour Request.
Group Tour Request

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.