Get Books By Mail
Do you live far away from campus? Are you taking classes virtually or teaching classes online? If your address is more than 50 miles from campus, we can mail your books to you! Once you've registered, just request delivery via Books by Mail directly from the library catalog, and we'll ship them to your home address. The library pays for the outbound shipment. You’ll be responsible for return shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question of your own? Email us!
Who is eligible to use Books by Mail?
Current students, faculty, and staff in the contiguous United States with addresses 50 miles or further from campus. Students, faculty, and staff with disabilities can also have books sent to them, regardless of distance from campus, on request.
How much does it cost?
The library will ship books at no cost to you. You must pay for the return shipment via insured carrier such as USPS, UPS or Federal Express. Alternatively, you can return the books to the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center for no additional cost.
Are there any delivery restrictions?
Materials can be mailed to a street address only, not a P.O. box. Addresses less than 50 miles from campus, or outside the contiguous United States, are not eligible.
How do I return books received via Books By Mail?
You can mail books back to the following address at your own expense. Do not send items "signature required" as this could prevent our staff from accepting returns.
Van Pelt Circulation
University of Pennsylvania Libraries
3420 Walnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19104-6206
You may also return materials at no cost to any library circulation desk, or to the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center Library ground floor book drop next to the the Rosengarten Undergraduate Study Center entrance.
I live less than 50 miles from campus, but I have a disability that makes picking books up from campus difficult. Can I use Books by Mail?
Yes! After registering with Disability Services through the Weingarten Center (for students) or with the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs (for faculty and staff), please email us at bkbymail@pobox.upenn.edu to request an accommodation.
What other policies should I know about?
Participants in Books By Mail are subject to the same loan policies and fine rates as other users on campus. Users who become delinquent, whether through fine blocks, overdue recalled blocks, or other reasons, will be unable to access the request menu to request delivery. Users must observe due dates, renewing or returning materials on time (including shipping time), and must return recalled items promptly.
In rare cases, library staff may decide that an item is too rare, expensive, or fragile to be sent through the mail. In these circumstances, we will contact the requester via email.