Parkway Central Library

Join us for a lecture History of the Fossil Fuel Industry in Philadelphia with UPENN Professor Jared Farmer!Philadelphia has been a hub for fossil fuel distribution for nearly two centuries. The lower Schuylkill River—often considered America’s first petrochemical corridor—helped shape the city’s industrial and environmental history.Join Penn history professor Jared Farmer for an illustrated talk on how Philadelphians have lived with coal, oil, and gas, highlighting key milestones from 1826 to 2026 and their impact on the region’s economy, landscape, and daily life.This event will be presented in Room 131/132, First Floor, Heim Center. No reservations necessary.

Come learn about mushrooms, fungi, and how to identify what you see on your next local excursion. Local foraging and mushroom identificationThis program takes place in Science & Wellness department 2nd Floor Parkway Central Library

Discover the many fascinating members of our Solar System, how numerous small planets were found, and how they formed alongside the Sun.Learn why the question "How many planets are there?" is more complicated than it seems in this fun and informative presentation.Professor Bernstein's research centers on extracting gems of astronomical knowledge from large piles of astronomical images. Currently his group is pursuing two main science projects with the ~100,000 sky exposures of the Dark Energy Survey.Gravitational lensing is the deflection of light by gravity as predicted by General Relativity. These deflections can cause dramatic distortions of background objects, or subtle

Come learn about mushrooms, fungi, and how to identify what you see on your next local excursion. Local foraging and mushroom identificationThis program takes place in Science & Wellness department 2nd Floor Parkway Central Library

Have you ever wondered if the “weeds” growing around you might actually be useful—or even delicious?This program dives into the world of the plants formerly known as weeds, revealing their hidden benefits and surprising roles as food and medicine. You’ll learn the basics of foraging, including plant identification, seasonal harvesting, and how to safely recognize and use common edible plants found throughout the Philadelphia area. Perfect for curious beginners eager to see local landscapes in a whole new way—and maybe never look at a sidewalk crack the same again.This program will take place in Room 131 on the First Floor.

Join Mural Arts Philadelphia for an evening celebrating the legacy and impact of Black dance in Philadelphia. The Black Dance Legacy Mural, by artist Bernard Collins, Jr., honors generations of dancers and educators, from Essie Marie Dorsey to Joan Myers Brown, who shaped the city’s cultural identity and global influence. Experience live performances, a film screening, and a powerful conversation, culminating in the unveiling of a new mural design rooted in history, resilience, and community.Featured Speakers:Dr. Patricia Reid-Merritt, Distinguished Professor of Africana Studies and Social WorkDr. Lynette Young Overby, Professor Emerita of Theatre and Dance, University of DelawareKaren Warrington, Former

Get a chance to see some early spring migrants!Please join the Free Library of Philadelphia and Holger Pflicke for a Spring Migration Bird Walk! We plan to stay out for 1-2 hours, depending on the location, and walk mostly on flat and well-traveled paths.All events are open to everyone and all skill levels. We will go over binocular use, field guides, and apps if needed. Everyone is welcome to stay for as long or as short a time as they like. Restroom access is limited or unavailable. Check the weather and dress for comfort. These events will happen rain or

Participants in workshops around the city created their own art to express their ideas about the rights that are crucial for a just society.Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Free Library of Philadelphia present Printmaking by the People: Posters for a Reimagined Declaration of Independence, an exhibition of hundreds of posters created by Philadelphians who were asked to share their visions of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” This special exhibition is part of Printmaking by the People, Philadelphia’s largest 2026 public art and community engagement project inspired by the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding.Printmaking by the People opens

Have you ever wondered if the “weeds” growing around you might actually be useful—or even delicious?This program dives into the world of the plants formerly known as weeds, revealing their hidden benefits and surprising roles as food and medicine. You’ll learn the basics of foraging, including plant identification, seasonal harvesting, and how to safely recognize and use common edible plants found throughout the Philadelphia area. Perfect for curious beginners eager to see local landscapes in a whole new way—and maybe never look at a sidewalk crack the same again.This program will take place in Room 131 on the First Floor.

The Library of Life Book Tour is designed to highlight both books and life resources as tools for healing and growth.This event is free and open to the public. It will be held in Rooms 131/132 in the Heim Center. Registration is not required yet seating is limited. There will be an opportunity to purchase Ciara's book after the presentation.Rooted in my book Cliché Your Way Through Life REMIX, each event blends storytelling, therapy-inspired reflection, and practical life tools. By connecting the metaphor of the library with real-life resources, the program encourages participants to see both literature and community as

Make your own collage protest poster inspired by Nicolo Gentile's public artwork Bar None at this Collage Philadelphia-facilitated workshop!The Association for Public Art (aPA) in partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Exhibitions presents a hands-on workshop that explores the collage medium as a response and in dialogue with artist Nicolo Gentile’s public artwork Bar None, commissioned for aPA’s 2025 Art on the Parkway program and currently on view at Maja Park at 22nd Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway through October 26, 2025. Facilitated by Collage Philadelphia, participants will delve into the art of cutting and reassembling printed historic

The Insectopia will bring six animal friends for attendees to interact with.This program brings 6 animals for a 1 hour program of meet and greets with the invertebrates. Students will have a great time learning about these animals and have the opportunity to hold and/or pet them. Students and adults alike are surprised by how handleable these animals can be.This program is free and open to the public and will be held in the Heim Center, rooms 131-132. Registration is not required yet seating is limited.

A series to explore Black and Puerto Rican political thought, activism, and storytelling through screenings of oral history interviews.The Power Politics Listen-Ins at the Free Library of Philadelphia is a series hosted by Scribe Video Center to explore Black and Puerto Rican political thought, activism, and community storytelling through screenings of oral history interviews and discussion.The schedule:March 31st - Karen WarringtonApril 7th - Alfie PolittApril 14th - John ChurchvilleApril 21st - Barbara Easley-CoxApril 28th - TBDMay 5th - Bilal QayyumMay 12th - Rev. Pamela WilliamsMay 19th - Joann BellEach session will feature immersive audio stories followed by a guided discussion,

A series to explore Black and Puerto Rican political thought, activism, and storytelling through screenings of oral history interviews.The Power Politics Listen-Ins at the Free Library of Philadelphia is a series hosted by Scribe Video Center to explore Black and Puerto Rican political thought, activism, and community storytelling through screenings of oral history interviews and discussion.The schedule:March 31st - Karen WarringtonApril 7th - Alfie PolittApril 14th - John ChurchvilleApril 21st - Barbara Easley-CoxApril 28th - TBDMay 5th - Bilal QayyumMay 12th - Rev. Pamela WilliamsMay 19th - Joann BellEach session will feature immersive audio stories followed by a guided discussion,

A series to explore Black and Puerto Rican political thought, activism, and storytelling through screenings of oral history interviews.The Power Politics Listen-Ins at the Free Library of Philadelphia is a series hosted by Scribe Video Center to explore Black and Puerto Rican political thought, activism, and community storytelling through screenings of oral history interviews and discussion.The schedule:March 31st - Karen WarringtonApril 7th - Alfie PolittApril 14th - John ChurchvilleApril 21st - Barbara Easley-CoxApril 28th - TBDMay 5th - Bilal QayyumMay 12th - Rev. Pamela WilliamsMay 19th - Joann BellEach session will feature immersive audio stories followed by a guided discussion,

A series to explore Black and Puerto Rican political thought, activism, and storytelling through screenings of oral history interviews.The Power Politics Listen-Ins at the Free Library of Philadelphia is a series hosted by Scribe Video Center to explore Black and Puerto Rican political thought, activism, and community storytelling through screenings of oral history interviews and discussion.The schedule:March 31st - Karen WarringtonApril 7th - Alfie PolittApril 14th - John ChurchvilleApril 21st - Barbara Easley-CoxApril 28th - TBDMay 5th - Bilal QayyumMay 12th - Rev. Pamela WilliamsMay 19th - Joann BellEach session will feature immersive audio stories followed by a guided discussion,

A series to explore Black and Puerto Rican political thought, activism, and storytelling through screenings of oral history interviews.The Power Politics Listen-Ins at the Free Library of Philadelphia is a series hosted by Scribe Video Center to explore Black and Puerto Rican political thought, activism, and community storytelling through screenings of oral history interviews and discussion.The schedule:March 31st - Karen WarringtonApril 7th - Alfie PolittApril 14th - John ChurchvilleApril 21st - Barbara Easley-CoxApril 28th - TBDMay 5th - Bilal QayyumMay 12th - Rev. Pamela WilliamsMay 19th - Joann BellEach session will feature immersive audio stories followed by a guided discussion,

Join us at Forgotten Histories, where we uncover untold stories and shed light on forgotten events from the past!Welcome to Forgotten Histories! Come join us at Parkway Central Library for an event that dives into the untold stories of the past. Discover hidden gems, intriguing facts, and fascinating tales that have been overlooked in history books. From forgotten heroes to mysterious events, this event will open your eyes to a whole new world of knowledge. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore Forgotten Histories and expand your understanding of the world around you. See you there!