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Discover Library Services

Need a refresher on library basics? Want to learn about tools that can help you publish your research? Not sure which librarian you should contact for help with tools and technologies? Explore our searchable directory to find out how we can help you with these subjects and more.

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Using the Library

Quick Start Guide

Search the Franklin Catalog

Use Franklin to find books, journal articles, databases, CDs and DVDs, and anything else in the Penn Libraries collections.

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Get Off-Campus Access

Need to access subscription materials like journals, databases, and ebooks when you’re not on campus? Check out our cheat sheet.

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Request Scans

Our library staff can scan book chapters and articles for quick delivery directly to your inbox.

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Receive Books by Mail

When you register for Books By Mail, you can request to have books sent to your off-campus address anywhere in the United States.

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Ask a Question Anytime

Explore our archive of Frequently Asked Questions. Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Submit your question anytime, and we’ll respond within 24 hours.

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Book a Consultation

Book an in-person or virtual consultation with a librarian or technology consultant with expertise in your field of study, copyright, digital fabrication, or statistical and design software.

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Find Your Personal Librarian

From Accounting to Veterinary Medicine, one of our subject specialists can tailor help to your particular focus.

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Browse our spaces

Explore our array of flexible and innovative spaces, from collaborative or quiet study spots to classrooms designed for active learning and equipped with the latest technology.

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Reserve a room

Already know exactly which room you need? Head directly to our room reservation system.

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Explore our library locations

Like to study in the middle of the night? Need specialized databases at your fingertips? Looking for a location close to your classes? Find out how to visit all our library locations across campus—and beyond—and discover which one suits your needs best.

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Explore Canvas and Related Resources

Find support, training, and instructional design services for Canvas—Penn’s learning management system—and related educational technologies.

Book a Classroom Space

Use our spaces finder to book a classroom with the setup and technology that suits your needs.

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Course Reserves

Set aside books, films, and sound recordings for classroom use.

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Featured Collections

The Penn Libraries' global collections encompass hundreds of languages and scripts across a broad range of subject areas, preserving the rich cultural and scholarly record from Africa, East Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and South Asia. Read about some of our unique recent acquisitions.

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Exploring Our Yiddish-Language Collections

The Penn Libraries' Yiddish-language holdings document the story of Yiddish language, literature, culture, and history.

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Award-Winning Children's Books

This new collection centers diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Find a selection on the first floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center.

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Japanese Women Photographers Collection

Over the past two years, librarians have worked to diversify the Penn Libraries’ Japanese photobook collection.

Central American Political and Social History

The Penn Libraries has recently acquired a collection of ephemera, books, and audiovisual materials from and about Central America.

Upcoming Events

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Workshop

March 20, 2023

March Madness BattleBot Build

Are you interested in building a robot vehicle? Does competing in a robot showdown sound exciting? If so, join our 8 teams that will be assembling laser-cut battlebots to compete in our first-ever March Madness Battlebot Build and Competition event.

3:00pm - 5:00pm
Education Commons TinkerLab

Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff

Lecture

March 21, 2023

Feminist Data Science in Action

In this talk, scholar and artist Catherine D’Ignazio will explore how data scientists, researchers, and planners who work with data and AI can use these tools in the service of equity, justice, and liberation.

12:00pm - 1:30pm
Hybrid event: Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, sixth floor; and on Zoom

Open to the Public

Mar 21

Workshop

March 21, 2023

Open Educational Resources

In this workshop, we'll talk about open educational resources as alternatives to traditional textbooks and other course materials.

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Online

Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff