Books on the move: Materials on the fifth floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center are being temporarily moved to our off-site storage facility. For your safety, please avoid browsing the fifth-floor stacks. See our Service Alerts for information about requesting books during the transition. 

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Class of 1963 Microtexts Center

Today's Hours:

8:30am - 6pm | Library Hours

Located on the first floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, the Microtext Center features two digital microform readers that can read microfilm and microfiche. These machines can create PDF files of individual pages that can be sent via email or saved to a USB flash drive.
 

Microtext Center

Microfilm is on the move!

Throughout the summer of 2026, Penn Libraries staff are moving the microfilm collection held in this space to our offsite storage facility, LIBRA, where it will be properly cataloged, barcoded, and safely stored. Much of our collection will not be available to patrons during this time and may need to be requested from another institution. Additionally, the Microtext Center will be off-limits to patrons without an appointment. You can still request and view microfilm using the instructions below.

How to request microfilm

  1. Search the Penn Libraries catalog for the item you need. From there, you can view it online (if available), request it from LIBRA, or request it from another institution.
  2. If your item is only available on microfilm, fill out the Microfilm Assistance Request Form to schedule a time to view the item.
  3. At the time of your appointment, check in at the Van Pelt Library circulation desk. A staff member will give you the item you requested and show you how to view it.

Using the microform readers

The Microtext Center includes two microform readers on adjustable takes for sit/stand access. You can use the machines to create a PDF that can be sent via email or saved to a USB flash drive. There are no printers connected to these machines.

Where to print, copy, scan

 

Accessibility

For Wheelchairs

  • Sufficient doorway & hallway clearance
  • Automatic doors or no doors
  • Table with accessible surface height, knee clearance, and leg clearance

Orthopedic Accessibility

  • Chairs have adjustable height

Nearby Bathrooms

  • Gender neutral bathrooms with a single accessible stall are located near the elevators on the ground floor (ground floor plan)
  • Men's and women's bathrooms, each with an accessible stall, are located near the 2nd floor east elevators (2nd floor plan).
  • 2 gender neutral, accessible bathrooms are located near the east elevator lobby of the 3rd floor (3rd floor plan).
  • There are no bathrooms on the 1st floor.

Additional Information

Wheelchair access is from the north side of the Microtexts Center, through the Moelis Electronics Research Center.   (See 1st floor plan.)

Accessible Entrance

Accessible entrance on the ground floor. A brick walk leads from the north side of Levy Park to the accessible door. At the end of the walk are 2 doors. The accessible door is on the right.

Directions to the accessible entrance:   Word   |   PDF

Maps and More

Campus Libraries Map

Staff Information

Resources for Staff Committees