page_title: Parkway Central Library
section_title: Opening
hierarchical_section_title: Parkway Central Library / History / Opening
caption_attribution_description: English: Detail of History of Printing Pediment (1925-27), John Donnelly, sculptor. Putti with books &amp; screw printing press on the east pediment of the Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States of America). Español: Putti con libros e imprenta manual a tornillo en el frontón de la Biblioteca Central Parkway
context_page_description: Parkway Central Library also known as Free Library or Central Library is the main public library building and administrative headquarters of the Free Library of Philadelphia system. It is the largest library, and only research library, of 54 library branches in the Free Library system. The library opened on Vine Street, Philadelphia in 1927. Four stories and the ground floor are open to the public. The main entrance steps are on Vine Street, between 19th and 20th Street.
context_section_description: Parkway Central Library had been planned for its current location since 1911; various obstacles, including World War I, held up progress. Construction started in 1917 and was completed in 1927. The grand Beaux-Arts building was designed by Julian Abele, chief designer in the office of prominent Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer. Its design, that of the adjacent Philadelphia Family Court building, and their placement on Logan Circle closely follow that of the Hôtel de Crillon and the Hôtel de la Marine on Paris's Place de la Concorde. In addition to being the main library, the building serves as the system's administrative building. The library opened on June 2, 1927 at its present location on 1901 Vine Street.
caption: Pediment Of The Central Library
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