General Information

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For Students, Faculty, and Staff Associated with the University of Pennsylvania 

Penn faculty, staff, and students need to show or swipe their PennCard to enter many of the Penn Libraries. It is important to carry your PennCard because you will need to show it when you borrow books, use reserve materials, use the Library's computer labs, etc. 

Access policies vary by library and may change during reading and exam periods. Changes in access for a particular library may be due to seating limitations, reduced staffing levels, or reasons of security and safety. 

For complete information about access to individual libraries, visit the individual library's homepage.

For All Other Visitors

The Penn Libraries welcome visitors whose research requires use of our collections. Visitors may enter many of Penn's Libraries on weekdays without making prior arrangements. Presentation of a current, valid government or school-issued photo I.D. that contains an expiration date is required.  

Access is restricted on weekday evenings after 6:00pm, weekends, and holidays to: 

For complete information about access to individual libraries, visit the individual library's homepage.

Computing

Public look-up stations are available in some of the Penn Libraries. From these stations, the public can access the library's catalogs and the Internet. Most electronic resources, such as subscription databases and electronic journals, and the Penn Wireless Network are restricted to current Penn students, faculty and staff and require PennKey authentication. See Use of electronic resources. 

For additional information regarding public use of the library's computers, please see the Policy on use of library public workstations

Franklin Catalog

Franklin is the catalog of the University of Pennsylvania Libraries. It includes the holdings of all of the Penn Libraries, excluding the Biddle Law Library. The Law Library maintains its own catalog

When searching Franklin, note the location, call number, and status of the item in which you are interested. The location indicates the library in which the item is held and the call number refers to a specific shelving location within that library. 

Public Access to U.S. Government and U.N. Depository Documents

As a Federal Depository Library Program participant, the Penn Libraries make U.S. government documents received through the depository program available for the free use of the general public.  

Borrowing 

Visitors interested in borrowing Penn Libraries' materials may apply for courtesy borrowing privileges for a fee. 

LIBRA Requests 

LIBRA is our off-campus storage facility for additional Penn Libraries materials. Within the Franklin catalog, the location LIBRA indicates that an item is physically located at this facility and must be requested. 

Special Collections Research Account 

Visitors who wish to examine special collections held by Penn Libraries must create a Special Collections Research Account online before requesting any materials. 

Printing & Photocopying 

Public self-service printers and photocopiers are available in some libraries