Alumni Access

• Access onsite and offsite to a selection of electronic resources that have been licensed for alumni use. Learn more about these resources and how to access them.
• Use of the AirPennNet wireless network while on campus.

Like other non-affiliated visitors, alumni with PennKeys may also visit the Penn Libraries on weekdays during regular visiting hours. Visit our Access and Visitor Information page for more information.
 

Alumni must access the resources via the links on this page and log in with their Alumni PennKey.

If you are a graduate or former student of a degree-granting program and your most recent term was in 1988 or later, visit PennKey-ASAP, the automated online PennKey request system exclusively for Penn alumni.

If you are a graduate or former student of a degree-granting program and your most recent term was before 1988 you will need to contact the office of Development and Alumni Relations to request a PennKey.

Learn more about requesting a PennKey.

For help with your PennKey, including checking or changing your password, visit pennkeysupport.upenn.edu.

For help with AirPennNet, visit Penn's Information Systems and Computing website.

For help with databases, contact the Penn Libraries.

• Access onsite and offsite to a selection of electronic resources that have been licensed for alumni use. Learn more about these resources and how to access them.
• Access to library locations during all library open hours (except during reading days and exam periods).
• Access to most of the library’s subscription electronic resources from on-site computers.
• Ability to use library computers in the following locations:
  • First floor of Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center (near RDDSx)
  • Holman Biotech Commons
  • Dental Library
  • Fisher Fine Arts Library
  • Penn Museum Library
  • Veterinary Library 

Due to the limited availability of computing resources the following policies govern availability of on-site computers:

• Any one individual will be provided with a credential up to a maximum of 10 days per calendar month.
• The maximum number of credentials available daily to the alumni community is 10. The library reserves the right to decrease this number at its discretion.
• The service will not be offered during reading or exam periods, when all library computing resources must be available for current students.

First, register for an alumni Penncard and pay the $30 fee online. 

Then, each time you visit the library: bring your Alumni PennCard to the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center Circulation Desk. We will then issue you a credential that will provide single-day access to a public computer and the library's collection of e-resources.  

If you have questions about library access, contact the Penn Libraries.

If you have issues with your PennCard, visit the PennCard website.

Courtesy Borrower Card holders receive all the benefits of Alumni PennCard holders, PLUS the ability to borrow print items owned by Penn Libraries and pick them up at any library or from our self-service lockers. You may borrow items for up to four weeks, limited to 20 items at one time.

• Courtesy Card borrowers can borrow items for up to four weeks and are limited to 20 items at one time.
• Courtesy Card borrowers cannot use the Libraries' interlibrary loan services (including BorrowDirect and EZBorrow) or Books by Mail.
• Courtesy Card borrowers cannot access materials from the Biddle Law Library.

1. Apply for and receive an Alumni PennCard
2. Visit the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center circulation desk. Bring your valid, not expired, Alumni Penn Card, and request to purchase a Courtesy Card.
3. We accept all forms of payment including all major credit cards, cash, and check.
4. Before you can begin borrowing books, you must visit the Van Pelt circulation desk Monday-Friday 9am-5pm to have your account authenticated. You only need to do this once.
5. Once your account has been authenticated, you can log in to your library account by clicking the Courtesy Borrower button on the catalog's login page.

Contact us at the Van Pelt Library Circulation Desk by email (vpcircdk@pobox.upenn.edu) or phone (215-898-7566)

For additional information about using the Penn Libraries catalog, visit our guide.