Franklin Homepage

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.

Get Started

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.

A person sits on a couch in Van Pelt Library looking at a laptop

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.

Looking at a laptop screen displaying the homepage of the Criterion Collection.

Request Scans

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

A person sits at a large scanner scanning a book

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.

A library staff member puts books on a cart in Van Pelt Library.

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.

A person sitting on a bench outside looking at their phone.

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.

A person sits in front of a laptop, pointing at a large historical document that is under a large format camera

Find Your Personal Librarian

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

A person sits at a table in a library room, gesturing at a group of students

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.

People studying by the felt wall of the Reading Room. Cushioned seats and reading lamps line the long wooden tables.

Reserve a room

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

Rolling chairs surrounding a long conference table. There is a rolling whiteboard in the room as well as large windows that provide a view of campus.

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.

Aerial view of Penn's quad, showing Van Pelt Library and the Fisher Fine Arts Library.

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.

Looking down on a large table covered in documents and with students sitting around it.

Course Reserves

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

Looking down an aisle in the library stacks.

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.

Eye chart printed with Hebrew letters in various sizes.

Exploring Our Yiddish-Language Collections

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

An overhead shot of a woman reading a picture book while sitting in front of a bookshelf.

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.

Black and white photo of a woman wearing a sailor girl uniform and dramatic make up stares right into the camera.

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

View all

Workshop

April 2, 2023

Intro to Letterpress Workshop

Learn the fundamentals of setting type and letterpress printing on our Vandercook cylinder presses. We will also discuss alternatives to setting type for printing on the press (photopolymer plates, linoleum, pressure printing). Required as a prerequisite for printing on the Vandercook on independent projects. Registration is required.

2:00pm - 5:00pm
Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts, Lower Level

Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff

Looking down on a group of people playing a board game.

Workshop

April 3, 2023

Board Game Study Break at the PDM Library

Stop by to play some card and board games! Walk-ins welcome.

12:00pm - 1:00pm
Evans Bldg, LL02A - Dental

Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff

Workshop

April 4, 2023

Puzzles and Jenga Study Break at the PDM Library

Stop by to do a puzzle and play Jenga. Walk-ins welcome.

12:00pm - 1:00pm
Evans Bldg, LL02A - Dental

Open to Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff