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Using
Other Libraries
Drexel University
The W. W. Hagerty Library is located on the corner of 33rd St. and Market. See guidelines for using Hagerty Library. See their website for hours and catalog.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania has numerous libraries, including Van Pelt Library (social sciences and humanities), Biomedical Library, and the Chemistry Library. Most libraries will allow outside users on weekdays between 9 am and 5 pm. See Penn's website for the hours, location, and access policies for individual libraries. Because Penn has the largest library in the Philadelphia area, it restricts access to its collections. Penn no longer allows non-Penn users to access their electronic resources. However, you can get a copy of an article from their print journal storage if you fill out an online form. You'll get an email when it's been delivered to the library you indicate.
TCLC Libraries
The Tri-State College Library Cooperative is an organization of 35 small and medium-sized colleges in the Delaware Valley. With USP's membership, USP faculty, students, and staff may use any of these libraries and check out books at them. You'll need a letter from us. Check at the Information Desk, weekdays.
Free Library of Philadelphia
Any Philadelphia resident, including students living in residence halls, may have a Free Library borrower's card. Card holders can also access the Free Library's electronic databases from home. Branches are located around the city, with the largest being at Logan Circle.
PALCI Libraries
About forty members of the Pennsylvania Academic Libraries Consortium, Inc., allow fulltime USP faculty members to check out books. Local institutions include Bryn Mawr, Haverford, LaSalle, Swarthmore, and Temple (but not UPenn). Other large institutions include the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, and campuses of the Pennsylvania state colleges. You'll need an authorization form from us.
Interlibrary Loan
Through Interlibrary Loan, we request from other libraries books and journal articles for USP faculty, staff, and students. See our policies.
And All Those Other Libraries
There are numerous other libraries in the Delaware Valley area. Please check their websites or call to find out their hours and policies. In general, state-supported institutions are very open to outsiders; private institutions, restrictive.
