Changes coming to Books by Mail: Starting in fall 2025, Books by Mail items will only be shipped to addresses in the contiguous United States 50 miles or further from campus. We will make exceptions for students, faculty, and staff with disabilities. Learn more

Fisher restoration: Fisher Fine Arts Library is open and operating normally during ongoing exterior work. Find more details about this important restoration project.

List

Plant illustrations from an arabic manuscript.

Ancient Medicine

The Penn Libraries have a near comprehensive collection of ancient medicine scholarship published in both the English and German languages.

illustration showing construction plan which maximizes lines of defense

Art and Architecture Collections (Kislak Center)

At the University of Pennsylvania, holdings relating to art and architecture may be found in the Anne and Jerome Fisher Fine Arts Library; the Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania; the University Archives and Records Center; and in the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts.

The front cover of Black Opals, an African American literary journal published by Arthur Huff Fauset. The cover is purple with the title "BLACK OPALS," a female nude figure standing on an island, and the text "HAIL NEGRO YOUTH"

Arthur Huff Fauset Collection

Arthur Huff Fauset (1899-1983) was an African American anthropologist, folklorist, writer, educator, and activist. His collection of papers includes creative writing, journalism, and correspondence. The Rare Book Collection also holds a small group of books and pamphlets that belonged to Fauset.

Image of IMG_4839.jpeg

Artists' Books

Both the Kislak Center and the Fisher Fine Arts Library hold substantial collections of artists' books, which are available for consultation by researchers, students, and classes.

Original artwork by Ashley Bryan displayed on a table

Ashley Bryan Archive

Renowned artist, writer, storyteller, children's book creator, and humanitarian Ashley Bryan created thousands of drawings, paintings, collages, and linoleum block prints over the course of his long and productive life.

Maps and More

Campus Libraries Map

Staff Information

Resources for Staff Committees