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 COVID-19 Update

Library and Archives Services during COVID-19 | Latest Museum Updates

In an effort to take extra precautions given the spread of COVID-19 the library and archives reading rooms are closed until further notice.

Interlibrary Loan Services

ILL services for print materials are suspended effective November 20th, 2020, and will resume when the Museum reopens in January.

We will submit renewal requests for any books you currently have checked out.

In-process requests and books you haven't picked up will still be available once on-site work resumes. We will request loan period extensions on your behalf. 

We will continue to process ILL requests for electronic copies of articles and book chapters during the Museum's closure.

Philadelphia Museum of Art borrowers can use our interlibrary loan (ILL) services to access materials not available in the Library & Archives' collections.

  • The Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium, Inc. (PALCI) E-ZBorrow program gives patrons access to print books from 52 academic libraries throughout the region.
  • Materials not found in E-ZBorrow, as well as electronic copies of journal articles and book chapters, can be obtained through WorldCat, which draws from the catalogs of public, academic, and special libraries both throughout the United States and internationally.
  • ILL staff can also request microfilm reels from the Archives of American Art for researchers.

Physical items are made available for pickup at the circulation desk. Electronic requests are emailed directly to patrons.

Questions? Contact us at ill@philamuseum.org.

Request Books and Physical Media

PALCI E-ZBorrow logo

Start your search with E-ZBorrow. Since this service is regional, turnaround time for requests is typically around 2 business days. Sign in here using your library ID (in all caps) to access PALCI's shared consortial catalog. If you're having trouble logging in, please email ill@philamuseum.org.

Note that you can only borrow print books through E-ZBorrow.

WorldCat Discovery Services Logo

If you can't find the book you're searching for in E-ZBorrow, search for the title in WorldCat. Once you find the correct record, click on the "Request Item through Interlibrary Loan" button and fill in your contact information and provide any special instructions if needed.

While many libraries choose not to circulate these materials via ILL, feel free to place requests for DVDs, microfilm, and other non-print media. However, please note that we are not set up to borrow or lend ebooks at this time.

Smithsonian Archives of American Art Logo

PMA users can also request microfilm from the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art. Please email ILL staff at ill@philamuseum.org with the reel numbers, and they will place the request on your behalf.

Request Articles and Book Chapter Scans

Before requesting an article via ILL, check our current print and electronic serials holdings using the Gold Rush tool. The material you need may be on site or or accessible online.

If you can't find the article you're looking for in Gold Rush, or if you need a chapter scan instead, search for the journal or book title in WorldCat. Once you find the correct record, click on the "Request Item through Interlibrary Loan" button and fill in your citation and contact information.

Philadelphia Museum of Art Library and Archives Logo

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