See also
Johnson Pavilion
36th & Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Assistance
Staff are available to assist patrons with disabilities in using Franklin, the online catalog, electronic resources and in retrieving materials. Staff in the Reference and Circulation Departments will arrange for general assistance upon request.
For additional library information please call: 215-898-5815.
- More detailed information on Reference and Information Services is available.
- For telephone reference assistance, call 215-898-5818. Reference staff will search up to 10 items in the catalogs.
- Email us directly with your library request.
If extensive reference assistance is required, advance arrangements should be made with the Reference staff.
- To arrange for help in using the catalogs/databases please call our Reference Desk at (215) 898-5818.
- For help in retrieving books and periodicals from the stacks please contact Richard Simmons.
Orientation
Reference Department staff are pleased to conduct orientation sessions as needed. Requests should be made to the Reference Desk.
Photocopying
Patrons are encouraged to bring a person with them to help with photocopying. If this is not possible, patrons with disabilities should contact Rich Simmons or Charles Hardy at Biotech Commons Circulation.
Facilities
Small Study Room for Students with special needs
A room is available in the Biotech Commons for limited use by students and their readers. This room may be scheduled in advance by contacting Rich Simmons.
Workstations
Wheelchair-accessible computer workstations are located in the Biotech Commons on the ground floor. Table height terminals are located on the ground floor, directly to the right of the entrance lobby.
Optelec Magnifier System
An Optelec Spectrum visual machine is located in a carrel next to the Reference stacks on Ground Floor. This station allows one to magnify material up to 60 times its actual size with a choice of color options.
Elevator
An elevator can be entered on the ground floor. This is located beyond the stairway to the left. It provides access to all of the floors in the Library.
Bathrooms
Wheelchair-accessible rest rooms are located on the ground floor.
Phones
Wheelchair-accessible pay phones are located in the Lobby outside the Biotech Commons entrance. Wheelchair- accessible free campus phones which can be used to dial University 417, 573, or 898 numbers, and tie lines to HUP and CHOP are available on the ground floor in the Biotech Commons Lobby.
Calls from these phones will need the 215 - prefix before dialing the number, for example, (215) 573-9999.
When dialing to HUP, please remember to dial the 215 prefix and the correct seven digit number, for example, (215) 662-9999.
Procedures
Fines
While the Biotech Commons has no fines, all patrons are responsible for returning library materials on time. Students should contact Rich Simmons about problems concerning overdue books.
Contact
For questions about accessibility at Penn Libraries, contact the Accessibility & Learning Technologies group (ALT): ALT@upenn.libanswers.com.
Library liaisons
General assistance & assistance with: retrieving books & periodicals from the stacks | reserving the study room | photocopying
Accessible entrance
The barrier-free entrance to the Biotech Commons is approached through the Library's main entrance. This is around the right side of the Johnson Pavilion located on Hamilton Walk just west of 36th Street. Doors operate automatically by pressing buttons located to the side. Once inside the Library, enter through the center gate which will accommodate a wheelchair.