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
Open today 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 8/3 Closed
Monday, 8/4 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Closed *
Tuesday, 8/5 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 8/6 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, 8/7 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, 8/8 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 8/9 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • * Monday had hour changes – Due to a private event
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

  • Mon., Sep. 1 : Closed Labor Day
  • Mon., Oct. 13 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
  • Tue., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
  • Thu., Nov. 27 : Closed Thanksgiving 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

Sound The Chimes of My Abstract Body

Sound The Chimes of My Abstract Body

Sat, August 9, 2025 12:00 P.M. This event has already happened.

The final event of artist Ana Woulfe ’s residency in the art department ! An exhibition featuring four original drawings inspired by trans history that she researched using the library catalog, comics drawn at the library and The World's Tallest Comic hanging up…

Finance 101

Finance 101

Sat, August 9, 2025 11:00 P.M.

REGISTER

Join us for a free financial literacy event, “Finance 101,” and take the first step in building a solid financial foundation. This session is designed to empower individuals and families with the tools and knowledge to start their journey toward financial freedom. Led by a financial…

Read Baby Read: Baby & Toddler Storytime!

Read Baby Read: Baby & Toddler Storytime!

Mon, August 11, 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…

Teen RPG Day

Teen RPG Day

Mon, August 11, 2025 3:30 P.M.

Join us at the Field Teen Center for an afternoon of RPG adventures! This is an ongoing campaign every Monday at the Field Teen Center, open to both drop-ins and consistent players. Programs at the Field Teen Center are open to  individuals ages 12 to 18 . Organized groups…

View all Parkway Central Library events
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.