Rules
- All personal belongings must be stored in designated areas.
- Laptop computers and small cameras may be brought into the reading room. Pencils and paper for notes will be available. All other items, such as pens, highlighters, markers, tripods, and flatbed or hand scanners are not allowed. Flash photography is prohibited. All items being brought into the reading room will be inspected by the receptionist before you enter and again as you leave.
- Absolutely no food or drink is allowed in the reading room or adjacent study rooms.
- All cell phones should be left on silent mode. We ask that patrons refrain from talking on cell phones while they are in the reading room.
See also
Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center
3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19104-6206
General access
Reading Room Access
All readers are welcome to consult special collections materials in the Kislak Center Reading Room.
Appointments at the Kislak Center reading room are not required, but researchers with special interests or those wishing to consult large collections may wish to contact us in advance so that we may provide assistance. Some collections are stored offsite and are not accessible except by prior arrangement.
Non-PennCard holders must make arrangements with staff ahead of time if they wish to visit the Kislak Center reading room during examination periods or if they plan to arrive after 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
Requesting and Reserving Materials
Collection materials may be requested using a Special Collections Research Account. Once you have created and logged into your account, you may request materials directly from our catalog and finding aids. Computers will be available for your use, if needed, and staff will be available to answer any questions. Staff will endeavor to deliver onsite materials promptly, but may limit the number of items you can request or consult at one time. Special collections materials may only be used in the reading room.
Some of our collections are stored offsite and retrieval will take at least one business day. Consult one of our staff members to determine if the materials you need are stored offsite.
For quicker access on return visits, you may place materials on hold. Materials that have not been consulted for over two weeks will be reshelved.
Restricted access
The Kislak Center reading room is only available for consulting special collections materials, not for general study.
Accessible entrance
The accessible entrance of Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center opens into the Goldstein Undergraduate Study Center. This entrance is on the ground floor of the building facing Blanche P. Levy Park. A wheelchair accessible doorbell is located on the railing leading toward the door.