Located at 800 Spruce Street in Philadelphia, PA, the Pennsylvania Hospital Medical Library offers invaluable resources through its historic and contemporary collections. Serving a diverse community, from hospital staff to academic researchers, understanding access is key to utilizing this rich repository of medical knowledge. The library is reachable by phone at 215-829-3370 and via email at [email protected].
The library distinguishes itself with two primary collections. The contemporary collection is a modern, working collection featuring books and electronic resources designed to support the hospital’s residency and nursing programs, alongside general hospital operations. In contrast, the Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital collection delves into psychiatric and behavioral health topics, while the historic collections house manuscripts and rare books, offering a glimpse into medical history.
Access to the contemporary collection, situated in the Pine Building’s third-floor reading rooms, varies depending on affiliation. Pennsylvania Hospital staff can access these rooms at any time using their hospital ID badge. For University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine affiliates who are not Pennsylvania Hospital staff, access is available by appointment. To arrange a visit (Monday-Friday, 10:00am-3:00pm), individuals should contact Michelle Bass. Upon arrival at 800 Spruce Street, these visitors will need to register at the hospital front desk, adhering to Pennsylvania Hospital visitor guidelines. Furthermore, eligible students, faculty, and staff can request items from the contemporary collection for delivery to other Penn Libraries locations via the Penn Libraries catalog, keeping in mind that delivery times may be longer. Importantly, only Pennsylvania Hospital staff can designate Pennsylvania Hospital, 800 Spruce Street as a pick-up location for materials from other Penn Libraries.
For those interested in exploring the historic collection, access is granted by appointment only. Researchers and interested parties should contact Stacey Peeples to schedule a visit. It’s important to note that the contemporary library collection and its reading rooms are not open to the general public for walk-in access. However, the Historic Collections are accessible for research purposes by appointment. In addition to research access, historic tours of the Pine Building are available. To inquire about these tours, please contact Stacey Peeples or refer to the Historic Tours of the Pennsylvania Hospital information.
In summary, the Pennsylvania Hospital Medical Library at 800 Spruce Street provides distinct access pathways for its contemporary and historic collections. Prospective visitors are encouraged to understand these guidelines and contact the appropriate personnel to ensure a smooth and informative visit to this significant medical library.
