Library Account
Log in to request, reserve or renew materials, get items delivered, and view the status of anything you've checked out.
Get help borrowing books and more
Borrowing
Locate, borrow, and use Penn Libraries materials and resources—physical, digitized, and online. Or request from our extensive network of partner libraries.
See all borrowing services
Borrowing Basics
How to find, request, and renew books at the Penn Libraries.
Need help with your account or have additional questions about our borrowing policies? Email the Van Pelt Library circulation desk.
Catalog
Use our library search tool to find books, journal articles, databases, CDs and DVDs, and more.
Renew
Need to keep something for a little bit longer? Learn how to renew books and other materials through your library account.
Fines
How to pay fines for items that are overdue, lost, or damaged.
Policies
Rules and requirements for borrowing materials, including eligibility, loan periods, and borrowing limits.
FAQs
Still have questions about borrowing? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions—or submit a question of your own.
Who Can Borrow
Students, faculty, staff, alumni, Penn hospital system employees, and some community members can all borrow materials from the Penn Libraries, but access may differ depending on your patron group. Learn more below.
Have additional questions? Email the Van Pelt Library circulation desk.
Penn Students, Faculty, and Staff
Your active PennCard is your library card! Just bring it with you when you visit in person, or use your PennKey to log into your library account or access most electronic resources.
If you're having issues with your PennCard or need it replaced, visit the PennCard Center.
Alumni
As a Penn alum, you can use library spaces, access select print and e-resources, and experience a variety of events and exhibits. We offer three tiers of access to all alums of degree-granting programs: Alumni PennKey (free); Alumni Penncard ($30 every ten years); and Courtesy Borrower Card ($200 every year).
Retired and Emeritus Faculty
All retired and emeritus faculty enjoy the same access to library resources (print and electronic) upon retirement. Faculty PennKeys automatically move into the appropriate status upon retirement. If this does not happen, check with your department.
Have additional questions? Email us.
CHOP and UPHS Employees
Borrowing policies and guidelines may differ for staff of CHOP and UPHS hospitals.
Courtesy Borrowers
Visitors who are interested in borrowing books may apply for courtesy borrowing privileges for a fee.
How to Borrow
Pick up books and other materials at any library location, or try one of these methods to access print and electronic resources.
Self-Checkout
Skip the circulation desk and borrow books and materials from the Penn Libraries on your own.
PickUp@Penn
Request books and other materials from our catalog and have them sent to one of our automated self-service lockers.
Request a Scan
Request a scan of a book chapter or article, or a digitized copy of something from our special collections.
Borrow Materials from Other Libraries
If we don’t have what you need at the Penn Libraries, let's borrow it from somewhere that does!
Access E-Resources Off Campus
Access scholarly journals and other electronic resources from your mobile device or computer off campus!
Get Books By Mail
Do you live far away from campus? Unable to pick up your library books? We can mail them to you!