Skip to main content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

Circulation: Courtesy Borrowing

Questions?

Contact us at the Van Pelt Library Circulation Desk:

Email Us:

For library account concerns or questions about building and database access, please e-mail us at: vpcircdk@pobox.upenn.edu

Call Us: (During pandemic, Van Pelt Library is closed for normal services and the phone is not answered. Use email instead.)
215-898-7566

 

 

Alumni

Annual Fee: $200 cash, credit card or check* payable to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania

Application Process: Present your Alumni PennCard at the Van Pelt Circulation Desk. While the libraries remain closed, email us at vpcircdk@pobox.upenn.edu

Includes: 

  • Courtesy Borrowing privileges (see Borrowing for details).
  • No Recalls permitted.
  • Weekend/evening/holiday access to all Penn Libraries except Biddle Law Library.

Excludes:

  • Restricted databases
  • InterLibrary Loan and Borrow Direct
  • Access to and borrowing privileges at Biddle Law Library

Other: Privileges are non-transferrable.

Retired Penn Staff

Annual Fee: $200 cash, credit card or check* payable to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.

Application Process: Present your Retired Staff PennCard at the Van Pelt Circulation Desk. While the libraries remain closed, email us at vpcircdk@pobox.upenn.edu

Includes: 

  • Courtesy Borrowing privileges. 
  • No Recalls permitted
  • Weekend/evening/holiday access to all Penn Libraries except Biddle Law Library.

Excludes:

  • Restricted databases.
  • InterLibrary Loan and Borrow Direct.
  • Access to and borrowing privileges at Biddle Law Library.

Other: Privileges are non-transferrable.

**Please note: Retired Faculty is now covered under lending policy for faculty.

Courtesy Borrowers

See the Libraries' COVID-19 page for the latest updates on library services.

During the pandemic closure, interested individuals need to email us at vpcircdk@pobox.upenn.edu to inquire about registering or renewing courtesy privileges. Courtesy borrowing fees can be paid via credit card while we remain closed. 

What is courtesy borrowing?

Visitors who are interested in borrowing books may apply for courtesy borrowing privileges for a fee. The Library's Courtesy Card carries with it borrowing privileges and evening/weekend/holiday access to all libraries except the Biddle Law Library. Please see detailed information for access policies, hours and Franklin tools available to courtesy borrowers.
 
How does courtesy borrowing work?

Registered courtesy borrowers must show their Courtesy Card and valid photo ID to enter. Please see individual library access policies for further details.

There is an annual charge for these privileges in order to partially recover the costs of services to non-Penn borrowers.

Privileges are not granted automatically. The Library reserves the right to withhold privileges, or to withdraw them, if they are abused. With the exception of the Corporate Courtesy Card described below, courtesy privileges are granted to individuals and are not transferable.

Interlibrary Loan services and most electronic resources are not available to courtesy borrowers.

Potential patrons interested in more information about obtaining Corporate Courtesy Privileges and Reciprocal Borrowing/Agreements, please contact Access Services at accessvp@pobox.upenn.edu

Renewal Limit: Courtesy borrowers may renew books online for up to one year (12 renewals).

Borrowing Limits: Courtesy borrowers are limited to 20 books total, from all libraries, at a time.

See more information about your courtesy borrowing group below.

Corporate Courtesy

Annual Fee: $800 cash, credit card or check* payable to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania

Application Process: Contact Erin Sharwell, Head of Circulation Services, 215-898-9767.

Includes:

  • Courtesy Borrowing privileges (see Courtesy Borrowing for details above).
  • No Recalls permitted
  • Weekend/evening/holiday access to all Penn Libraries except Biddle Law Library.

Excludes:

  • Restricted databases
  • InterLibrary Loan, BorrowDirect, E-ZBorrow 
  • Access to and borrowing privileges at Biddle Law Library

Policy: 

  • One contact person is responsible for privileges which may be shared by up to 10 individuals.
  • Names of all the users must be submitted
  • Borrowing limit is collectively 20 books per corporate account.
  • one library account per corporate entity.

Individual Courtesy

Annual Fee: $400 cash, credit card or check* payable to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.

Application Process: Come into the Van Pelt circulation desk. While the libraries remain closed, email us at vpcircdk@pobox.upenn.edu

Includes:

  • Courtesy Borrowing privileges (see Borrowing for details).
  • No Recalls permitted
  • Weekend/evening/holiday access to all Penn Libraries except Biddle Law Library.

Excludes:

  • Restricted databases
  • InterLibrary Loan and Borrow Direct
  • Access to and borrowing privileges at Biddle Law Library

Other: Privileges are non-transferrable.