Dear BGS students:
As the University of Pennsylvania looks ahead to a fully in-person fall semester, the Penn Libraries is excited to welcome back our students and faculty by continually expanding on-site access to our collections and services. I would like to share with you the latest updates on the re-opening of the Libraries’ physical spaces, discontinuation of HathiTrust ETAS emergency access, updates on course reserves, and more.
Library Facilities
Starting Monday, July 19, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center will be open to the Penn community and outside visitors, including the individual library locations listed below:
- Albrecht Music Library (Eugene Ormandy Music & Media Center reopens 8/16)
- Lippincott Library of the Wharton School
Opening hours will be Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Patrons may once again browse the stacks and use self-serve study areas without appointments. Reservable study spaces may also be booked starting July 19.
- The Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts will remain open by appointment, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
Starting Monday, August 16, all library locations beyond Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center will also be open to the Penn community and outside visitors, with the exception of the Biomedical Library (soon to be relaunched as the Biotech Commons), which will reopen when construction is complete. Those locations are listed below. Opening hours will be Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
- Annenberg Library
- Chemistry Library
- Education Commons
- Fisher Fine Arts Library
- Levy Dental Library
- Library at the Katz CAJS
- Materials Library
- Math/Physics/Astronomy Library
- Penn Museum Library
- Eugene Ormandy Music & Media Center (including equipment reservations)
- Veterinary: Atwood Library
- Veterinary: du Pont Library
Carrels and faculty studies will become reservable again in August.
HathiTrust ETAS
As academic libraries nationwide became unable to circulate physical books and other materials due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HathiTrust created an Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS). ETAS made many print titles in the Penn Libraries’ collections temporarily available in digital form to Penn faculty, staff, and students. Starting August 9, circulation of these physical holdings will be restored, and emergency digital access will be terminated. Please note that as we are able to resume providing physical access to our extensive print collection, complete digital access to some ETAS titles will end.
In-copyright items remain available for full-text searching in the HathiTrust Digital Library. HathiTrust items in the public domain or that are available through Creative Commons licenses remain available for digital access. These titles are marked “Full view” in the HathiTrust online catalog. Because the University of Pennsylvania is a HathiTrust member, you may log in to HathiTrust using your PennKey and download full PDFs of those items.
Course Reserves
Physical course reserves will return for Fall 2021. Faculty are encouraged to submit requests as early as possible. Find more information about the Penn Libraries’ Course Reserve Service.
Borrowing Books and More
The Libraries continues to offer a number of flexible and convenient options for patrons to access materials in print and online. The popular Pickup@Penn service is continuing, with a new pickup location at the Van Pelt Circulation Desk starting on July 19, and patrons may also pick up books at other library locations starting on August 16.
Later this summer, the Libraries will roll out additional services for those interested in minimal- or no-contact circulation: a new onsite self-checkout feature and secure lockers offering contactless pickup for books and other materials.
Current faculty, students, and staff in the United States and Canada can continue to receive Books By Mail through the fall semester.
Current faculty, students, and staff may also Request Digital Delivery of selected book chapters and journal articles.
Continued Communication and Service Updates
For details about the latest service updates, please visit the Libraries’ Return to Campus FAQ or connect with one of our subject specialists –or directly with me at dmanuel@upenn.edu
The Libraries will continue to adapt services to address changing needs and circumstances throughout the school year. Thank you for your continued partnership in advancing the teaching, research, and learning mission of the University.
Manuel
Penn Libraries liaison to BGS
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