



The building, which opened in 1927, is as much a city landmark and architectural marvel as it is a learning center. The Parkway Central branch, located downtown, is home to rare collections, research publications, and a grand marble staircase. “Food provides a really universal context,” says Liz Fitzgerald, director of the Culinary Literacy Center at the Free Library of Philadelphia. It can be an easy and accessible entry point to learning. Food-growing, preparing, sharing, and eating it-can create a sense of community, promote cultural understanding, and teach literacy.
