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Last Updated: 09/23/2022

• What’s changed as a result of the continued closure of the Perelman Building?
• What hasn’t changed?
• Updated Circulation Policies During the Perelman Building Closure
• Access to Non-Circulating Books
• FAQs

What’s changed as a result of the continued closure of the Perelman Building?

• No general building access for public researchers: We arrange on-site appointments on a case-by-case basis. Staff provide remote reference services while the Perelman Building and our reading rooms remain closed to walk-ins. The reference desk is not staffed. We continue to provide resources online. We’ll do our best to fulfill your requests in a timely manner, but please let us know if you’re on a deadline. Questions? Contact library@philamuseum.org.
• Library circulation policy: Staff may take most books home with them. Here’s what you need to know.  
• Contactless Pick Up and Return: We’ve set up book carts in the lower level of the Perelman Building (around the corner to the left when you get off the elevator) for pickup and return. You can also request to have books interoffice mailed to you. See our FAQs for more detailed information.
• Bookeye scanner: Please continue to do your part to keep the Bookeye scanner clean. Wash or sanitize your hands and let them dry before use.
• Archives and Special Collections: The Arcadia Special Collections Reading Room is open for on-site appointments on a case-by-case basis. We are also providing remote services. Questions? Contact archives@philamuseum.org.
• The Martha and I. Wistar Morris Scholars Study: Carrels in this shared space are available to staff on a first-come, first-serve basis. Questions? Contact library@philamuseum.org. 
• Interlibrary Loan (ILL) requests: For information and instructions, check out our ILL page or contact ill@philamuseum.org.
• Reference Materials and Periodicals: Our Reference and Periodicals sections are not open for browsing, but these materials are findable in our online catalog. Please feel free to request reference materials as you would circulating books—they will be available for pick up in the lower level of Perelman along with other requested books. Please email library@philamuseum.org if you wish to see a current periodical.
• New acquisitions and purchase requests: You can request the purchase of electronic materials to support research; however, we have temporarily stopped donations of unsolicited materials and will rarely make new print acquisitions. We realize that this is a major disruption in library services, but please continue to send suggestions to library@philamuseum.org and we will do our best to fulfill your requests.

What hasn’t changed?

• Online access: Our eBooks, online journals, databases, and other streaming/electronic materials remain available as usual via LibGuides.
• Images: We are continuing to fulfill image and rights requests through library@philamusem.org. 
• Get help: Ask us about image, general, research or reference questions library@philamuseum.org. 

Last Updated: 09/15/2023

Library Circulation Policy

• Staff may now take home most library books. Some books may be restricted to use within the Perelman building or supervised use depending on their size, condition, format, and/or uniqueness. The level of access will be decided on a case by case basis. Questions? Email library@philamuseum.org. 
• Moving forward, unless specifically designated otherwise by the lending library, all interlibrary loan books may leave the building. Please note that ILL items have shorter loan periods than PMA materials.

Guidelines

• Transport all books with care. Art books can be heavy, fragile, and the coated paper is very sensitive to moisture.
• Many of us are working on kitchen and dining room tables. Please keep library books away from food, drink, pets, and other hazards.
• Take a reasonable number of books home with you. Better to be pragmatic rather than aspirational.
• All of us discover books in our home libraries that we have not seen in years. When that moment arrives, please don’t let it be a library book.
• Please do not pass along books that are checked out to you to your family, friends, or colleagues. Once the book changes hands the likelihood of retrieval and return diminishes.
• If you find yourself in need of a book that is checked out to another colleague, please let us know, and we will facilitate a recall or acquire an interlibrary loan copy on your behalf.

If you have any questions please send them to library@philamuseum.org 

Last Updated: 09/15/2023

Our new take-home circulation policies do not apply to our non-circulating collections. These include but are not limited to items from our Rare stacks, damaged or fragile books, kits and portfolios, or mixed media materials.

With our Reading Room open by appointment, you may review most non-circulating materials in your personal workspace in Perelman or Main. Some items may be restricted to supervised use. Request what you need online, and we’ll contact you to schedule a socially-distanced hand-off. Returns must be made the same day, while the Library is still staffed. Just let us know when you’re dropping off your book. If you need more time, we’ll make arrangements with you for a future date.

Questions? Contact alexa.vallejo@philamuseum.org.

Last Updated: 09/15/2023

1. Where do I pick up and return my library books?

You can pick up materials on the carts near the Media Room in the Lower Level of the Perelman building for pickups and returns. You may also request that materials be sent to you via interoffice mail; please note where we should send the materials when you make your request in the online catalog. Books may also be returned via interoffice mail in a sealed, clearly marked box, mailer, or envelope.

2. What will be the average wait times between requesting a book and receiving it?

Paging for library materials is completed twice per day. Most materials will be ready by 10 AM, and again by 3 PM. Books will be available on pickup carts near the Media Room on the Lower Level of the Perelman Building. 

Books requested from departmental libraries (e.g. European Decorative Arts; East Asian Art, Prints, Drawings & Photographs; et al.) may take several days to be made available, as they must be delivered to the Library and Archives through interoffice mail.

Interlibrary loan fulfillment times vary depending on the lending library. Typically, books arrive between 2 and 10 days. Article and chapter scans might be completed within a few hours or in up to five days.

Please note that the museum is only providing mail service to the Perelman Building on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, which may add to the wait time for print materials.

3. Can you buy a book at my request?

Please send any purchase requests to library@philamuseum.org. However, due to budgetary constraints we have temporarily stopped new acquisitions of most materials, including print books.

4. I work in the Main Building. Do I need to go into Perelman to retrieve books?

When you request a book in the online catalog, please also note in any blank field “interoffice mail” and the department where we should send the book(s). If there is any issue with this, we will make alternative arrangements with you.