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    Parkway Central Library

    4.5 (127 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    Bruce K.

    When it's 90 degrees outside, it's 105 in the van and that's just uncomfortable. I can't work in that sort of heat, so as I have been driving around this summer, I have been skipping from public library to public library for a quiet and cool place to work. The Free Library of Philadelphia is cool (temperature-wise) and cool (aesthetically). I arrived just before opening and found a parking space on the street where I felt safe enough leaving the van. A 12 hour metered spot for $20. The library opened right on time at 9am and I was through the door with a few others who were also looking for a quiet spot out of the heat. The library has stacks and stacks like any library but also a rare books room and an art gallery and big beautiful spaces with tables. Some of the tables have power outlets or power strips and some do not. I secured one next to a dehumidifier where I plugged in and got comfy. So why just four stars? The library is free but the Internet is not. You need a library card to access their internet and since I'm not a Philadelphia resident, I don't qualify. So I spent the day in the library working, but doing so from the hotspot on my phone. And even if I did have a library card, the whole point of a free library isn't just that it is no cost. It's also that it's free and untracked, i.e., that's liberty. If I'm logging in to the system, my name, address and websites I visit are being logged. Even though I have nothing to hide, I want a higher level of privacy. [Review 17769 overall - 570 in Pennsylvania - 1290 of 2022.]

    Jay L.

    It is a beautiful central library. Borrowing books: can self-renew I think up to 6 times. could also reserve books to borrow. there are no charge penalties if you renew late/ return materials late; only that your card will be suspended until you do. can also borrow electronic copies of books, etc. There are many categories here from children's to teens/ young adult to science to rare collections. To reserve their study rooms: time limit of 2 hrs; may stay as long as there are no reservations after you need ID to reserve cannot self-reserve online. have to be in-person/ over the phone they host events on public education, fun topics, health, etc. there are also games to rent out during your time here. Signing up for a library card is free and easy. I believe you can use your library card to get into/ get discounts for various attractions around Philly if you're a Philly resident. public bathrooms no complimentary parking, unfortunately, because it's in Center City Philly :(

    Austin G.

    Opened in 1927, this is the Free Library of Philadelphia's largest location. Inside a beautifully designed building, free building tours are offered most days. It's a library and the thousands of books are housed in grand halls worth looking at. They have a rare book collection, free wifi and tons to read and see! It's also close to many museums like the Barnes Foundation.

    Ashley J.

    I thought I had done this review already but apparently not. I stopped in to get my library card yesterday and ended up unexpectedly getting a tour of the building. I had visited prior to that time but this time was extra special since I was able to receive an in-depth overview of the library and its history. There are several floors to it and they offer not just books, but lecture series, workshops, culinary classes, have a Children's Center/Library area, and music instrument rentals. I was floored. Truly. They also have event spaces and a rooftop area that hosts beer garden events. Not that I'm too into beer but it's still nice to know that they offer other things in addition to book rentals. What I found resourceful was the The Heim Center and business area. There's an area where you can reserve study spaces or even get assistance with job searches or other community happenings. It feels like this library is like a community staple/resource hub. Plus each floor has books from different genres like there's history, horticulture, fashion, music, geography, pop culture, film, politics, theater. You could spend hours in there just pulling boom after book and never be bored. At least that's the case for me. I also received a great tour offered by Jackie. You can tell she's a veteran librarian and tour guide and Curtis was just as amicable. I'm glad he told me about the tour. I already signed up for the TypeWriter series and the Sewing classes happening on Wednesdays. My aunt would be proud as she's an avid sewer (well into her 90's) and I always told her I wanted to learn so why not? If you're looking for something different and perhaps wish for an area for quiet time or study time or enhance your knowledge, I highly recommend you take a stop in to this place. The architecture is just breathtaking, especially the marble steps and the fact that it offers so many things, I think one would be foolish not to register for a library card there. Plus, it's free. What more could you ask for?

    Danburi D.

    Wonderful library full of artistic and literary gems on every floor. Will be back to check out other collections!

    Alexis B.

    I stopped in at the Free Library of Philadelphia today when I was museum hopping in the area. It's a pretty building, and they have temporary exhibits in some gallery areas of the library. Not the grandest main library branch I've visited but worth a stop in if you like architecture or libraries!

    Mike O.

    So proud to live in the city where the very first public library (free, no subscription fee) EVER in the United States was created. I'm continually moved by the legacy left by the founders and first citizens of Philadelphia. And the library is no exception. In one line, the collection here is unbelievable. Gallery after gleaming and grand high-ceilinged gallery of special collection, available to you for study and review, for free. No doubt that today, the Philadelphia founders would be be shunned as flaming-left big-government tax-and-spend (or whatever insert-here hateful adjective the right is weaponizing today) liberals. I'm reminded of Will Hunting's "Don't Do That" $150k-tuition Harvard-mocking monologue that ends with "coulda done it for $1.50 in late charges at the public library." Except that this library does not charge late fees!! And you can renew 10 times for three weeks each. With a hyper-local branch likely at the end of your block, the entire city-wide collection is available to you to order, pick up and return at your convenience. Speaking of hyper, I'm also nostalgic about libraries of this scale because in 1991 it was where I first experienced HTML. My state university (where resident tuition was $600 per semester) was doing an experiment with Chicago and making some resources available by computer over a special phone line. But I didn't have to know or type the commands to navigate the collection. "So, what do I do?" "Just move the arrow on the screen with the mouse on the side, and click on the blue word." I squinted and said, "OK?????" I forgot my project, left the library and, standing in the mall just looking all around me, wanted to yell at the top of my lungs that the world was about to change, hugely. And it did. Common good. What does it mean to be a Citizen? What does "civic duty and responsibility" really mean? Do we care for each other? Are we in this together? Are you a participant? Or just a taker? Do you deserve to live here? "Be Ye Worthy, As We're They."

    Rooftop view at the parkway central branch
    Kathrin S.

    This is my favorite place in the city. From the beaux arts architecture and rich history of the branch, to the rare book section and museum tours, to the millions of free events here (cooking, book talks, crafts, employment assistance), this is a hub for our community and for the city of Philadelphia. There are truly millions of books, musical instruments, cooking tools, etc available to borrow - I recommend checking out their website as there are so many activities going on every day!

    Cassandra Y.

    The Free Library of Philadelphia is the public library system that serves Philadelphia. It is the 13th-largest public library system in the United States. Before they used to charge membership fee to use the library, I am glad all the public library in the nation are FREE now. Beautiful & huge library, a landmark in Philly for sure! There are several museum in the area. You can definitely spend a day in this neighborhood.

    Books
    Justin B.

    One of those most magical places in Philadelphia. Before I even made personal memories here the building had a feeling, a life of its own. I would consider it a must see for anyone visiting. If you're from here and haven't been you should. I can't actually say anything about the actual book renting process. I've never personally done it. My wife had a card. She took out "Catcher in the Rye" and that was the end of it. I saw Bernie Sanders speak here and also had my engagement photos taken here. In full disclosure I have a copy of Watchmen that was stolen from the library by an ex over a decade ago.

    Eric T.

    1. It's free 2. It's a beautiful building 3. Staff are proactively helpful 4. THE RARE BOOK MUSEUM (pictured below). The rare book museum tour was the kicker. 11am Monday - Friday. Changes your perspective and appreciation for mass media, communications, advertising, writing, printing and books. Highly recommend it.

    Jenaya P.

    I always loved going to the Free Library of Philadelphia. As a kid I would visit for school trips and I would also visit the library to study and hang out with friends in a quiet setting. The Free libraries of Philadelphia are located all over the city, however this is the main branch that is huge and would probably offer books and other activities that the other branches might not have. This building is gorgeous. It looks like an antique, rustic and timeless building that probably tells a story. Once you enter, there's a guard on the left and a huge stairway that can access your mind to discover old books, current books, different genres of books such as Sci Fi, romance, fiction, you name it, you can find it here, audiobooks, music and children books, there's oh so much to explore! The Parkway Central branch location has a theater for presentations as well as large conference rooms. The library has different programs and services such as adult literacy and cooking classes as well as workshops and seminars that are offered daily. I was actually there to attend their workshop called Aging with Grace and Vitality! I encourage the free library for your next outing! Trust me you won't get bored. I'll definitely be back for one of their cooking classes. Overall come explore, create, grow and learn at the free library of Philadelphia- Parkway Central Branch!

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    2 months ago

    Cute library with several different spaces. I enjoyed the civic center and relaxed there for an hour just reading.

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    11 months ago

    The library is not open contrary to what the website says! The strike is still going on

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    This place has extremely helpful staff beautiful architecture and amazing rare book viewing opportunities

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Parkway Central Library

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    Review Highlights - Parkway Central Library

    Hillary was in town for a book signing and this was my first introduction to the Free Library of Philadelphia.

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    The Rosenbach - View from Garden

    The Rosenbach

    4.4(46 reviews)
    0.9 miRittenhouse Square

    It feels somehow controversial (?) to write this review, but I was incredibly underwhelmed by my…read moreexperience at this museum. The Rosenbach is quite close to my home and I figured my parents recent visit would be a perfect opportunity to take the tour. I had heard a lot of really good things and love literature, so I was excited to have time in the mansion. A few things: 1) I think it is ridiculous you cannot see the museum without a guide. I would have absolutely LOVED coming and having time amongst the rare books to take a look and explore on my own time. The guided tour is too restrictive. 2) The guided tour that I experienced (it seems like your mileage really varies depending on your docent) lacked nuance, clarity, context, and frankly...fun. 30 minutes of sitting in a room while a man talks at you and shows barely legible photos on printer paper of rich people tangentially related to what you're about to see is brutal. The best museum experiences I've had recently do a GREAT job of understanding how the role of the items and people on display contextually brought us to the moment we're in: good, bad, or indifferent. This experience reminded me of my time at The Breakers in Rhode Island, which left me asking: "so what?" AND "so we're not going to talk about the atrocities these people probably engaged in?" At least at The Breakers I could have that experience on my own, without a guide, and explore the things that spoke most to me. Our guide had clear discomfort when speaking about the subjects' religious affiliation, mentioned that they had this insane and debaucherous "bachelor life" but was unwilling to outline anything that could have further connected us with who these people actually were. I had to FIND OUT FROM MY MOTHER, who was doing some googling after the tour, that the Rosenbach's once had NAPOLEON'S MUMMIFIED DICK in their collection?! People want to hear about the mummified dick, team. Sorry, we're humans. Anyways, there really is INCREDIBLE stuff in this collection. First editions, poetry, portraits. It's astonishing. It's the rest of the experience that falls completely flat. I would give it a try and hope you have a different experience than I did. I hear they do some interesting events based on the season and everyday folks can go in and handle books if there's a specific interest. I'll follow along on the journey but would love to see this museum join the present moment and think more critically about how this part of Philadelphia's history is spoken about to visitors and residents.

    This was. the COOLEST tour. The library is filled with antique, first editions of the classics…read moreranging from a huge Shakespeare collection to Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker to Mark Twain and more. They have an English collection, an American room, and some extremely rare copies of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, Winnie the Pooh, and others. Our guide was so knowledgeable and friendly, and not only were the books were seeing but the decor was also fabulous. At the entrance, they have a little waiting room with coffee and snacks and books you can look through. They have a TON of Dracula variations too.

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    The Rosenbach
    The Rosenbach
    The Rosenbach - Inside a room at the Rittenhouse museum with walls lined with bookcases.

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    Inside a room at the Rittenhouse museum with walls lined with bookcases.

    The Athenaeum of Philadelphia

    The Athenaeum of Philadelphia

    5.0(11 reviews)
    1.4 miSociety Hill

    First came here through 52 First Philly event and instantly loved it. It's a small, quaint museum…read moretucked right next to Washington Square Park, which already sets the vibe. During the First Flight event it was a bit busy, but still felt intimate and special. There's a members-only reading/library area that feels very old-world and scholarly, and a general exhibition space with rotating displays, historic prints, books, and artifacts tied to architecture, design, and Philadelphia history. It's quiet, thoughtful, and the kind of place where you naturally slow down and look closely at things. I went back again yesterday for a very specific and slightly heartbreaking reason. I realized I grabbed the wrong collectible pencil before. Mine said "52 Weeks" instead of "First Flight," which meant my collection was incomplete and yes, I was genuinely sad about it. I stopped in just to ask if they maybe had an extra one somewhere. Renee was INCREDIBLE. Truly the nicest human. She took the time to look and actually found one for me. It absolutely made my day. I honestly wanted to write this review just to thank her because that level of kindness and care really sticks with you. Also, on my second visit I realized how much I missed the first time around. The building itself is beautiful, classic architecture, warm and elegant without being intimidating. It's the kind of place that rewards repeat visits because you notice something new each time. A hidden gem, wonderful staff, and a really special Philly institution. I'll definitely be back. I'll admit the non member area is small. But it was very informational. I think it would be perfect for civic engineers.

    I like going there. The general atmosphere is very unique and welcoming. I would encourage them to…read moreban the use of laptops in the library, it is a place to read, not to do the work.

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    The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
    The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
    The Athenaeum of Philadelphia

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    The Historical Society of Pennsylvania - Interior

    The Historical Society of Pennsylvania

    4.3(3 reviews)
    0.9 miAvenue of the Arts South, Washington Square West

    I hadn't been here in years until recently. I'm a member and that gave me the advantage of being…read moreable to search online for records I was interested in so that I could save the call numbers and save some time while there. I found the staff to be friendly and very helpful. Many of the records I wanted are in the closed stacks. You fill out a form with the call number and your name and sit at a table in the reading room. Seats are numbered and the number goes on the form and they will bring the record to you. You can do 3 at a time. If you want them to hold something you were looking through for the next day, they will hold it for you. You are allowed to take your computer, papers and phone. You can take a photo of any record which is helpful. The reading room has a lot of books. There is a family room with many books organized by family name so easy to search for a family you are looking for. Many of the records they have are not available elsewhere and may include handwritten notes a family member wrote on paper or you might find a full book on the family you are looking for. You could easily spend days and days there. There is a charge of $8.00 for non-members to enter while members are free. If you are researching Pennsylvania history or families in the area (including Delaware and New Jersey), you are bound to find something useful in your search. I appreciate that they are digitizing more and more records for those of us that don't live there and seldom can get to HSP.

    As a hardcore researcher and genealogist, I borderline dread having to go to HSP to do any…read moreresearch. I say borderline because it's not 100% bad, but some staff members have a tendency to treat the public like children. They expect you to know things, even if you haven't been told what to do ahead of time (where to read books from the stacks, how to handle certain items, etc.). Yes, some things are common sense, but giving the public a little friendly guidance goes a long way. But the major turn-off for me is the exorbitant fees they charge for just about everything - from admission for non-members to copies to membership fees. And goodness forbid if you want to use a photo for a book from one of their collections - that's hundreds of dollars and a slew of conditions attached to it. It's $75 to become what they call a "Researcher" member. That only entitles you to 20 visits to the library per year (that's not even 2 visits a month!). You'd have to fork over $130 for a "Patron" membership to get 50 visits a year to their library (you want unlimited visits? Be prepared to part with anywhere from $500-$999, according to their membership brochure). Why I'm steamed about the amount of money they charge for services is only because they have materials donated to them, so they pay nothing for this stuff. They have the collections of the late Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies (that I never see displayed or talked about) as well as the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (which handed over their collections to HSP in 2006), both of which were donated, and then they want the public to pay a mint to get copies? And as prices have risen, their hours have been reduced. They're no longer open on Saturdays and they have only one late night per week (Wednesday). If you're going to raise prices, put in some extra hours somewhere. (And be forewarned that if the person at the reception/cashier desk doesn't like you for whatever reason, they can actually deny you admission.) On the other side: Many staff members are knowledgable in helping researchers locate the information they're seeking and, sometimes, may offer them other directions to go in case they came to a dead end. They also have a wide variety of collections, *some* of which can't be found anywhere else (mainly because of the aforementioned acquisitions). They have cemetery records and the records of some funeral directors (such as Battersby) and churches (e.g. Christ Church) as well as an entire room dedicated to published family genealogies. I can take the bad with the good, but at the rates HSP charges, this historical goodie is a once-in-a-while treat, not to be used regularly (and it shouldn't be that way).

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    The Historical Society of Pennsylvania - Interior

    Interior

    The Historical Society of Pennsylvania - Exterior

    Exterior

    The Historical Society of Pennsylvania - Exterior

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    Exterior

    Parkway Central Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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