The Penn Museum Library is the University's branch library for archaeology, archaeological sciences biological and physical anthropology, cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, medical and public health anthropology, business anthropology, environmental anthropology, most non-historical Native American and Indigenous Studies materials, and museology. It welcomes all members of the Penn community to use its resources and spaces. It is also open to interested members of the public for independent, college-level research, but all K-12 students should be accompanied by an adult.
Winter intersession and Summer hours:
Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm except major holidays
Normal academic term hours:
Monday-Thursday, 9 am - 9 pm
Friday, 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday, 12 - 5 pm
Sunday, 12 - 9 pm
Location:
The entrance to the Museum Library is on the 3rd level of the Academic Wing, opposite the doors to the Rooftop Terrace.
Access and assistance:
The library is open to members of the public for independent college-level research. Patrons can receive a quick introduction to the library catalog (Franklin), library-provided equipment, and wayfinding within the library stacks by asking for assistance at the circulation desk near the entrance to the library. Advice on scholarly research is available by appointment with Deb (browndeb@upenn.edu) as her schedule allows. The library's collections and reference services are not geared towards K-12 students, but children accompanied by an adult are welcome to use the library.
Manage your Library Account by using the Login button in the upper right corner of the Penn Libraries Homepage with your PennKey. For more information, see this guide.
Due dates
Some materials, such as journals and DVDs, may be governed by different loan policies. For more information, see Loan Policies.
In order to activate your various "Get It" options, you will need to Login to Franklin with your PennKey, which you can do at any time from the upper right hand corner of the screen or by using the "Login to Activate Requesting Options" when you see it.
Request in Print - use to request a library book, DVD, or other format be delivered to the Museum Library's (or another library location - be forewarned: if you do not select properly, the default location is the Van Pelt Library circulation desk). You can use this option even if the item is marked "Unavailable" at a Penn Libraries' location, because it will automatically take you to an option to request through Interlibrary Loan. You will receive an e-mail when the item has arrived as your preferred pickup location. After receiving the e-mail, you have 7 days to pick up the item before it is returned, but, if you are unable to meet the pickup deadline, please contact muselib@pobox.upenn.edu .
Request Scan - use to request a .pdf of 1 book chapter, 1 article, or 1 reasonably-sized section of text. Penn Libraries cannot scan too many pages for reasons of limited staff time and copyright. You will receive an e-mail with a link to the .pdf.
Request to View - use to register in AEON and request an appointment in order to see a rare book or manuscript that is housed in the Museum Library's Locked or Brinton Collections, Fisher Fine Arts Rare, Kislak Center for Special Collections, or special collections materials from the Library at the Katz Center. Registration in AEON is now required for anyone viewing materials in Penn Libraries' special collections!
Among your options:
If a record appears in the Franklin catalog but is marked currently "Unavailable," the Get It: Request in Print button will take you to an Interlibrary Loan form. Be sure to select your preferred pickup location and add any other information you think is pertinent.
If not in Franklin catalog, go to the Resource Sharing Request Page. From the left-hand menu, select the Request Book / Media or Request Article/Chapter (for a scan of select pages) to access a form to enter the information about what you need.
Contact Deb, browndeb@upenn.edu, to suggest Penn Libraries consider acquiring a copy.
Deborah Brown Stewart, Head of the Museum Library
Jason de Medeiros, Library Specialist
Ainsley Hume, Library Assistant
General contact at the Museum Library: muselib@pobox.upenn.edu or 8-7840
Recommendations of materials to purchase in support of anthropology, archaeology, cultural heritage management, museum studies, and related topics: Deb at browndeb@upenn.edu
Recommendations of materials to purchase for other Penn libraries or for general questions go to LibAnswers
