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Computing in the Libraries

There are more than 450 computers available for public use throughout the University of Pennsylvania Libraries. Every computer provides Internet access to Penn's Digital Library, online catalog, and electronic resources. Additional functionality varies by location.

Paid printing is available in most computing locations, using your PennCard or a Visitor's PennCash card. Costs are $.08 per page using the black and white printers and $0.50 per page in color (limited locations). Go here for printing instructions.

The Libraries offer several types of public computing:

Look-Up stations are available to all library users and provide Internet browsers and email clients. Restricted resources, such as proprietary databases and some electronic journals, require authorization.

Labs are available for use by the Penn Community (requires PennKey authentication) and include access to Microsoft Office, email, ftp, browsers, and additional software such as statistical and graphics packages.

Wireless Laptops are available to be checked out and used within the Biomedical, Engineering, and Fine Arts Libraries and in the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center. Students, faculty, and staff with a current, valid PennCard may check out a laptop for a four-hour loan period. The laptops have Microsoft Office, browsers, and email and ftp clients. Laptops at specific locations may have additional software; see Computing Hardware & Software in the Library. In VP-DLC, laptops are available at the Rosengarten Reserve Desk in the Goldstein Undergraduate Study Center, Van Pelt ground floor, and at the Van Pelt Circulation Desk on the first floor.

Laptop connections are located in tabletop ports throughout the libraries for personal laptop connections.

Access to the wireless network is available at the Biomedical, Fine Arts, Engineering, and Museum Libraries and at the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center. Authentication for wireless use is via PennKey.

See floor plans of the wireless network at the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center.

Penn faculty, students and staff who connect to the Library from off-campus can access restricted resources through the Library's Proxy Server .