Reading period access: From April 30 to May 14, access to the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center and the Fisher Fine Arts Library will be limited to PennCard holders and other Penn affiliates. Find more information.

Overview

Collection Description

Because of the importance of philosophy to the University's curriculum through much of its history, the Library has a historically strong collection.  The core collection in Van Pelt is substantially complemented by those of the hard and life sciences (philosophy of science, bioethics, philosophy of mind), literature (continental philosophy), Biddle law library (philosophy of law), Lippincott Library (business ethics) and Area Studies (Asian Philosophy).  The Library aims to acquire all standard critical editions and important current works in both the historical and systematic areas of philosophy.

Special Collections

The Special Collections Department includes approximately 600 Aristotle and pseudo-Aristotelian texts and commentaries written before 1750, both published and manuscript. The Lea Library is strong in late medieval and Renaissance philosophy. The Yarnall Collection is strong in medieval philosophy and theology. The Schrecker Collection, acquired in 1963, contains 5000 volumes on the history of modern philosophy from Descartes to Hegel, with special emphasis on Leibniz.

Contact