The majority of the fifth floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center is currently closed for construction. Learn more about this renovation to the Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections, including how to request materials.
Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections
Today's Hours:
8:30am - 6pm | Library Hours
Location:
Van-Pelt Dietrich Library Center
3420 Walnut Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6206
| Directions
The Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections is an intellectual hub for engagement with the world. Students and scholars can explore the diversity of cultures and societies around the world — their histories, languages, perspectives, narratives, and cultural contributions — through the Center’s vast information resources, the expertise of a dedicated team of librarians, and dynamic programming.
Newsletter
Stay updated about the Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections' notable acquisitions, events, collaborations, and more.
News and Events
Building a Hub for Interdisciplinary Engagement
A major, year-long renovation project at the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center will create a dedicated, state-of-the-art space for the Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections. While construction is in progress, the majority of the fifth floor will be closed to visitors, including all Penn students, faculty, and staff.
Recent Blog: Exploring Popular Culture and Entertainment in 1920s Cairo
A number of periodicals cropped up in 1920s Cairo that offered artistic critique, gossip, and cultural commentary. See them in person at the Penn Libraries or browse them online.
2024-2025 Year In Review
We’re pleased to share the accomplishments, acquisitions, and enthusiasms from the 2024-2025 academic year with this year-in-review.
Milestone Gift Names Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections
The University of Pennsylvania Libraries is pleased to announce a naming gift from Penn Libraries Board of Advisors member Stephanie Zilberman, WG'01 and her husband Dan Zilberman, WG'01 to create the Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections.
An Interview with Graduate Student Mengliu Cheng
History doctoral student Mengliu Cheng, an avid patron of the Penn Libraries' Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections, discusses how the libraries' resources have supported her research, for which she was awarded a prestigious Graduate Student Paper Prize from the Association of Asian Studies last year.
Q&A with Penn’s Latin American Studies Librarian
Brie Gettleson speaks about her role as a subject librarian with the Penn Libraries and liaison for the Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies.
University of Pennsylvania Libraries Launches Renovation of the Center for Global Collections Following Two Major Gifts
The $15M renovation project will transform the fifth floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center.
University of Pennsylvania Libraries Receives Major Gift of Kenneth and Joyce Robbins Collection of South Asia History
Kenneth and Joyce Robbins designated the Penn Libraries as the recipient of the Kenneth and Joyce Robbins Collection of South Asia History in their estate planning.
Govindaraju/Chandrasekhara South Asia Studies Seminar Room
Spaces
- Class of 1979 Africana Studies Room (Rm. 305)
- Candice and Robert Willoughby East Asian Studies Seminar Room (Rm. 526)
- Govindaraju/Chandrasekhara South Asia Studies Seminar Room (Rm. 551)
- Middle Eastern Studies Seminar Room (Rm. 523)
- Weigle Judaica and Ancient Near Eastern Studies Reading Room (Rm. 401)
Support the New Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections
We invite you to enhance global studies at Penn with a gift to name a space in the new Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections
Staff
Brian Vivier
Director of the Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections vivier@upenn.edu
Jef Pierce
Assistant Director of the Zilberman Family Center for Global Collections and South Asian Studies Librarian jfpierce@upenn.edu
Mercy Ayilo
Africana Studies Librarian kayilo@upenn.edu
Anna-Alexandra Fodde-Reguer
Chinese Studies Librarian afodd@upenn.edu
Brie Gettleson
Latin American Studies Librarian brieg@upenn.edu
Joseph Holub
Librarian for Romance Languages, Iberian Studies, and Religious Studies holub@upenn.edu
Heather Hughes
Middle Eastern Studies Librarian hkhughes@upenn.edu
Arthur Kiron
Schottenstein-Jesselson Curator of Judaica Collections kiron@pobox.upenn.edu
Rebecca Mendelson
Japanese Studies Librarian rmendel@upenn.edu
Kirsten Painter
Slavic and East European Studies Librarian kpaint@upenn.eduLocation and Accessibility
Accessibility
The accessible entrance of Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center opens into the Goldstein Undergraduate Study Center. This entrance is on the ground floor of the building facing Blanche P. Levy Park and College Hall. A wheelchair accessible doorbell is located on the railing leading toward the door.
