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(Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library

Address
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103 United States Get Directions

Events at this venue

Today

  • Arts and Crafts Supply Swap

    Arts and Crafts Supply Swap
    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Do you have gently used or new art and craft supplies that are collecting dust? Are there things you bought for projects you're never going to get to or lost interest in? Do you want to try a new hobby but need inspiration and means? Let's share materials that are in good condition! The Art Department and Special Collections invite you to come by the library with supplies that you no longer want or need and pick up something else in exchange. You do not need to bring materials to take something. Join us at Parkway Central in the Heim

    Free

  • Artist Talk: Cavin Jones

    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Join us on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 2 PM in the Art Department for a talk by Philadelphia artist Cavin Jones. Cavin Jones is a painter, muralist, and collagist whose figurative work is inspired by American history, particularly the African American experience. Jones has said that his work is "a catalyst to stimulate thought and promote discussion about various issues prevalent in society." His dynamic compositions often feature contrasting elements that as he says, "infuse the paintings with layers of meaning and associations." Cavin will talk about his art journey, including his public mural work. After the talk in

    Free

  • Book Arts Open House

    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Join us on Wednesday, August 26 to see highlights from the Print and Picture Collection's Book Arts Collection. The Book Arts Collection has over 650 artists' books created by hundreds of artists. The collection includes miniature books, accordion books, flag books, books with unique bindings, and more. Drop by anytime between 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This open house is open to all!

    Free

  • Arts and Crafts Supply Swap

    Arts and Crafts Supply Swap
    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Do you have gently used or new art and craft supplies that are collecting dust? Are there things you bought for projects you're never going to get to or lost interest in? Do you want to try a new hobby but need inspiration and means? Let's share materials that are in good condition! The Art Department and Special Collections invite you to come by the library with supplies that you no longer want or need and pick up something else in exchange. You do not need to bring materials to take something. Join us at Parkway Central in the Heim

    Free

  • Make Your Own WPA Poster

    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Celebrate America's 250th by making your own poster of Independence Hall! Stop by the lobby of Parkway Central Library between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. for a free hands-on screen printing workshop. All ages welcome and no experience required. A teaching artist from Posters for the People will guide you in making your own print based on the Independence Hall W.P.A. poster from the Print and Picture Collection.

  • Novels in Progress, ft. Katie Testa and Owen Lyman-Schmidt

    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Novels in Progress is a showcase for local working novelists. Free and open to the public, each event will offer a salon-style reading and conversation featuring two writers deep in the process of a long project. Light refreshments will be provided. The event will take place in the Heim Room (131), which is wheelchair-accessible. Masks are optional, but encouraged! This series is curated and hosted by Blue Stoop, a nonprofit “Home for Philly Writers,” in partnership with The Literature Department at The Free Library of Philadelphia.

    Free

  • Wish Wall

    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    What do you want America to be like in the future? Perhaps you have a wish for your own future. Visit our wish wall, located in the 2nd Floor West Gallery, and write or draw your vision for our nation's future. Your wish will then be added to the wall to encourage further discussion, and to display the diversity of lived experiences, stories, and desires of our community. The Free Library encourages patrons to make their voice heard and delve deeper into civic engagement. By advancing literacy, guiding learning, and inspiring curiosity, the Free Library of Philadelphia can provide avenues

    Free

  • Make Your Own Button

    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Join us on Wednesday, June 10th in the Print and Picture Collection and on Saturday, June 27th in the Rare Book Department to create your own pins based on images from the Free Library's Special Collections. Events will run from 1 pm - 3 pm. Stop by anytime to make a button!

    Free

  • Know Your Rights in Civil Court

    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    This course will discuss the reasons why a contract is a legally enforceable promise and how to enforce or defend it if it is broken, and who is responsible for harm and damages. What actions can be taken and what elements need to be proven in order to sue in PA. Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts ("PMC"), a nonpartisan nonprofit, envisions a Pennsylvania judicial system in which everyone who participates is assured impartiality, fairness, accessibility and respect. Parkway Central Library | Heim Center, Room 130 Please register for your preferred option:

    Free

  • Novels in Progress, ft. Linda White and Misty Sol

    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Novels in Progress is a showcase for local working novelists. Free and open to the public, each event will offer a salon-style reading and conversation featuring two writers deep in the process of a long project. Light refreshments will be provided. The event will take place in the Heim Room (131), which is wheelchair-accessible. Masks are optional, but encouraged! This series is curated and hosted by Blue Stoop, a nonprofit “Home for Philly Writers,” in partnership with The Literature Department at The Free Library of Philadelphia.

    Free

  • Private Finance, Public Power: A Free Talk on the History of Bank Supervision in America

    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Banks may be private, profit-driven institutions—but the public has always shaped the risks they take and paid the price when they fail. Private Finance, Public Power explores this uneasy partnership over two centuries of American history, from the wildcat banks of the early republic to the rise of federal deposit insurance and modern financial regulation. Wharton professor Peter Conti-Brown and historian Sean Vanatta bring this story to life with colorful characters and surprising moments: rogues looting failed banks, con artists posing as government examiners, bribes paid in oyster dinners, and reformers struggling to build order out of chaos. Through repeated

    Free

  • Help Preserve the Nation’s History-One Document at a Time! at Parkway Central Library

    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Discover how you can help deepen our understanding of American history by transcribing original post–Civil War documents. Your work will uncover stories of family, resilience, and community in the years following Emancipation. In this Acts of Science: Connected program, Smithsonian experts will introduce the Freedmen’s Bureau records, explain their significance, and share why your participation matters. Together, we’ll explore how these documents illuminate the lives of formerly enslaved people during Reconstruction and why preserving them is vital for research and education. This nationwide effort—led by the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Smithsonian Transcription Center, and the

  • Novels in Progress, ft. Roy Graham and Jake Ahlquist

    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Novels in Progress is a showcase for local working novelists. Free and open to the public, each event will offer a salon-style reading and conversation featuring two writers deep in the process of a long project. Light refreshments will be provided. Learn more and RSVP at bluestoop.org/events DATE: Saturday, 3/7, 3-5pm LOCATION: Parkway Central Library, Heim Room 131 COST: Free DIRECT LINK: https://www.bluestoop.org/events/novels-in-progress-2026-03

    Free

  • printPHILLY! 2026

    (Philadelphia, PA) Parkway Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    An annual print fair celebrating the diversity and richness of Philadelphia’s printmaking community. Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia Print Consortium is pleased to announce the fourth annual printPHILLY! print fair. Join us on Saturday, February 28th at Parkway Central Library, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Showcasing over 40 vendors, including individual artists, print shops, collectives, schools, and non-profit spaces, this one-day fair is FREE and open to the public from 10 AM - 4 PM. Visitors can interact with a range of printmakers, print-publishers, print-focused galleries and nonprofits, with the opportunity to purchase

    Free