Service Alerts
Find announcements, policy changes, and up-to-date information about temporary service disruptions across the Penn Libraries.
Access during Reading Period and Final Exams
During the reading period and final exams, From April 30-May 12 access to the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center and Fisher Fine Arts Library will be restricted to individuals who hold one of the following credentials:
- A PennCard
- A photo ID from the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS), HUP, CHOP, Pennsylvania, or Presbyterian hospitals, or UPHS affiliate
- A Penn Alumni Card
- A Library Courtesy Card
Exceptions will be made for visitors (non-Penn affiliates) who make prior arrangements with a staff member. Included in this category are patrons who will be using materials in the Kislak Center. A visitor pass, which will be held at the guard desk, should be completed in advance. Please contact the circulation desk for details.
Access is also restricted at Biddle Law Library from April 24 to May 7. Access during this period is limited to members of the Penn Carey Law community and Penn students registered for law classes. Penn non-law students may request circulating books for delivery to Van Pelt Library. To request access to the non-circulating collection, Penn non-law students must complete the access request form at least two business days prior to the requested visit, providing a detailed description of their research request. They should also expect to conference with a law librarian prior to their visit.
Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections renovation project
Books are on the move! In preparation for the Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections renovation, materials on the fifth floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center are being temporarily moved to LIBRA, our off-site storage facility.
To ensure everyone's safety and the smooth transportation of materials, please avoid browsing the fifth-floor stacks.
Need a book typically found on the fifth floor? Fill out our request form and we will get it for you.
Ongoing restoration at Fisher Fine Arts Library
The iconic Anne and Jerome Fisher Fine Arts Library, a significant architectural landmark, will celebrate its 135th anniversary in 2026. To preserve this historic brick and terra cotta structure for future generations, a comprehensive exterior restoration project is planned. This critical 20-month undertaking will run from spring 2025 through fall 2026.
While the library will remain open throughout the restoration, visitors can expect some noise and disruptions. Alternate quiet study areas are available at library locations across campus.
Find more details about this important preservation effort on our dedicated project page.
More information
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