As the University of Pennsylvania enters the summer term, Penn Libraries continues to develop innovative ways to meet the needs of faculty, staff, and students while complying with evolving public health guidelines.

This summer, the Libraries will continue to provide virtual support and access to physical and digital collections. From accounting to veterinary services, subject specialists are available to work with the Penn community through chat, email, phone, and web conferencing. In addition, new and expanded services will offer more options for in-person browsing, research, and individual study.

Read on for information about selected services that will be available this summer, and please reference the Libraries’ Phased Services FAQ for the most comprehensive and up-to-date details about library operations.

Pickup and Home Delivery

Pickup@Penn will continue this summer. This program makes it possible for Penn faculty, students, and staff to request books and other materials and pick them up in a designated area on the ground floor of Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center. Prefer not to pick up materials on campus? Books by Mail and Digital Delivery services are also still available.

On-Campus Access

Stacks Browsing Appointments

Stacks access is available to all active Penn faculty, students, and staff by appointment in Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center. One- to two-hour browsing appointments may be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. The tables in the Moelis Lounge and Moelis Electronic Research Center are open to patrons with stacks appointments to consult materials while onsite.

Special Collections Material and Consultations

The Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts offers on-site access to the Charles K. MacDonald Reading Room by appointment on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Researchers should email kislak@pobox.upenn.edu at least 24 hours in advance to set up appointments and provide information on the material needed. The Kislak Center will also continue to offer remote services for researchers, including free digitization of up to 500 pages of material or a one-hour remote curator consultation with a document camera.

Seat Reservations

Seat reservations will continue to be available for individual study in Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center. Operating hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and eligibility now includes all active Penn faculty, students, and staff.

Latest Service Updates

The safety of our staff and our users is our top priority. The Libraries will continue to adapt services to address changing needs and circumstances throughout the school year, with guidance from the University and local and state officials. Visit the Libraries’ Phased Services FAQ for the latest updates.

—Penn Libraries