Purchase a Courtesy Borrowing Card

Getting Started

To receive a Courtesy Borrowing Card:

• Visit the Van Pelt Library circulation desk before 6 pm on a weekday. See Access and Visitor Information for more details about visiting.
• Bring a method of payment (cash, check, or credit card) to pay the annual fee:
  • For alumni: $200. In addition, you must present your Alumni PennCard when opening your account.
  • For other individuals: $400
  • For Corporate Courtesy Borrower Cards: $800
  • For retired staff: Free. Simply bring your Retired Staff PennCard to the circulation desk to open your account. 

What you get

All Courtesy Borrowing Cards come with the following privileges:

• Four week borrowing of normally circulating print materials (limit of 20 items at one time).
• No recalls permitted.
• Weekend, evening, and holiday access to designated Penn Libraries locations, excluding the Biddle Law Library.

Restrictions

Courtesy Borrowing Cards exclude:

• Most databases.
• Interlibrary loan services (including BorrowDirect and EZBorrow) or Books by Mail.
• Access and borrowing privileges at the Biddle Law Library.

Additional information

• Registered courtesy borrowers must show their Courtesy Borrowing Card and valid photo ID to enter the library.
• There is an annual charge for these privileges in order to partially recover the costs of services to non-Penn borrowers
• The library reserves the right to withhold or withdraw privileges.
• With the exception of the Corporate Courtesy Card, courtesy privileges are granted to individuals and are not transferable.
• Courtesy borrowers may renew books online for up to one year.
• See our Alumni Access guide for information about using an Alumni PennCard at the Libraries.
• Need help with your Courtesy Borrowing Card? Email the Van Pelt circulation desk.