Penn Libraries Strategic Plan

The Penn Libraries' strategic priorities embody the theme “Knowledge for Life” by fostering lifelong learning, inspiring creative growth, and empowering individuals to adapt, thrive, and contribute meaningfully to a changing world. Our priorities underscore the Libraries' critical role in advancing research, preserving cultural heritage, and expanding access to knowledge for the betterment of society, and they align our work with Penn's strategic framework In Principle and Practice.

Strategic Priorities

A student walks through a glass-filled door into s brightly-lit study space.

Evolve the Library As Place

Transform our library spaces into vibrant centers of academic life and collaboration—a Third Place outside of home and work where people gather, connect, and feel a sense of belonging. By redesigning our environments to be academic and social hubs that attract faculty and students, we invite a new era of learning and interaction, making the library the heart of campus life.

Prepare Students for the World of Tomorrow

Equip students with the critical thinking and technological skills necessary to navigate and shape the future. By teaching our students to lead their own learning, we aim to foster resilience and creativity, ensuring our graduates will be lifelong independent learners, ready for the complexities of a rapidly evolving world.

A group of students gathered around a table looking through books and primary sources.

Adult demonstrating the Anatomage Table, a clinical tool for studying anatomy.

Empower Cutting-Edge Research

Support groundbreaking research by providing direct unparalleled access to a rich array of resources, advanced data tools, and expert guidance. Our commitment to enhancing scholarly communication and facilitating interdisciplinary connections positions the library as a crucial catalyst for innovation.

Safeguard the Cultural and Scholarly Record

Preserve and protect the cultural and scholarly heritage entrusted to us. Through advanced preservation technologies and thoughtful stewardship, we ensure that valuable knowledge, from rare manuscripts to digital datasets, remains accessible for future generations.

A person wearing a mask removing the binding from a manuscript as part of conservation.

Close up of the title page of an old book with a title written in a difficult-to-read elaborate font.

Expand Access to Penn's Intellectual Heritage

Increase global access to Penn’s collections and scholarly outputs, reinforcing the University's role as a knowledge leader. By embracing open access initiatives and enhancing discovery, we extend our reach, sharing Penn's intellectual riches with a worldwide audience.

Knowledge for Life