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. – 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, 8/24 Closed
Monday, 8/25 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 8/26 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 8/27 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, 8/28 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, 8/29 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. *
Saturday, 8/30 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • * Friday has hour changes – preparation for the Labor Day holiday
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

Preschool Storytime

Preschool Storytime

Fri, August 29, 2025 10:30 A.M. This event has already happened.

Join Scout for stories, songs, and rhymes, and stay for playtime afterwards! Intended for our friends ages 6 and under and their caregivers. This program has ASL interpretation. In good weather, this program will be held outdoors in Shakespeare Park, directly across the street…

English Conversation Group - Intermediate+

English Conversation Group - Intermediate+

Fri, August 29, 2025 12:00 P.M. This event has already happened.

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 Philip. The group will meet in BRIC 60 on the ground floor. …

*CANCELLED* Teen Video Games

*CANCELLED* Teen Video Games

Fri, August 29, 2025 3:00 P.M. This event has already happened.

***CANCELLED*** This program is cancelled due to a holiday closure. Parkway Central Library will close at 1 p.m. on August 29th.   Join us for video games at the Field Teen Center every Tuesday and Friday! We play a variety of games. New players and experienced pros welcome. …

Teen Bedazzling Day

Teen Bedazzling Day

Sat, August 30, 2025 3:00 P.M.

Bring a little sparkle into your life with an afternoon of bedazzling at the Field Teen Center! Don't forget to BYO item to bedazzle! Location:  Field Teen Center, Ground Floor Parkway Central Library Programs at the Field Teen Center are open to individuals ages 12 to 18.…

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.