The main entrance to the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center is now open. Van Pelt Library and the Fisher Fine Arts Library are currently open to Penn Card holders, Penn affiliates, and certain visitors. See our Service Alerts for details.

Home Link Icon

Criminology Collection

The Penn Libraries criminology collection reflects Penn's long leadership in criminological research and criminal justice policy, and it is one of the Ivy Plus libraries' largest such collections. The collection has an exceptionally rich historic collection, built through the work of the first modern criminologist Thorstein Sellin and his protege Marvin Wolfgang. Recent collection growth has been generously supported through the Lipman Criminology Library Fund.

Overview

Collection Description

The collection is a general collection, evenly split between criminology and criminal justice administration. Historic strengths sustained today include juvenile delinquency; prisoner reformation, reclamation, and social work; sentencing. Recently-added strengths include victimology; policing best practices; and geographic analysis of crime.

Contact

Doing Research

For major research databases in criminology and related resources, consult the Criminology - Research Guide.