Penn Libraries
Lea Library, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, 6th foor
Penn Library, Special Exhibitions
Love to make music? Artistically inclined? Interested in exploring diverse cultures? You’ll find a place to express yourself at the Penn Libraries.
Students can use our world-class collections of photos, books, and recordings to study anthropology, design, ethnomusicology, and more. They can even explore a passion outside of their regular studies.
Members of the public can learn and discover through exhibits and events, or they can explore some of our most iconic library spaces.
Serious study and serious fun: we welcome it all!
Events
Find engaging events, compelling lectures, and hands-on workshops. Many events are open to the public.
Exhibits
Explore library collections through online and in-person exhibits across campus.
Locations
A significant architectural landmark, the Fisher Fine Arts Library collects materials to support research in art and architecture, the decorative arts, photography, historic preservation, city planning, and urban design.
The Fisher Fine Arts Materials Library is a collection of around 10,000 material samples that serves academics, designers, material scientists, and engineers. The Materials Library is open Monday-Friday, from 9am-5pm, and is accessible by appointment only.
The Education Commons is open to the Penn community and is home to a makerspace, crafting space, and reservable study spaces and seminar rooms.
The Kislak Center is the principal site for rare books, manuscripts, and archives at the University of Pennsylvania and a hub for events, exhibits, and research. The Kislak Center is open to all.
The Albrecht Music Library is open to the Penn community and includes print collections, sound and video recordings, and spaces for study, recording, and more.
The Museum Library’s collections focus on archaeology, anthropology, archaeological sciences, and cultural heritage management. Open to the Penn community and to members of the public for independent college-level research.
As the university’s dedicated letterpress printing and book arts studio, Common Press offers hands-on workshops and trainings for Penn and the greater Philadelphia community.
Resources for the Penn Community
Find training and equipment for video and audio production, image editing and scanning, graphic design, and web publishing.
Stream feature films, documentaries, oral histories, video interviews, and other niche content.
Access thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and comics using your Penn account on Libby.
Design Courses with Collections and Research Resources
Rethink your course or create a new one with assistance from a subject specialist or curator.
Find synthesizers, mixers, an acoustic guitar, and even a theremin to fuel your creative projects.
Browse and download high resolution images for personal and research use. Available to everyone, no Penn affiliation required!
