Maureen Pastine, University Librarian
(215) 204-8231/8211
The Libraries of Temple University form an extensive network of services and resources that supports the educational and research needs of the University's students and faculty. The Libraries support the University schools and colleges on the Main Campus, Temple University Ambler, Temple University Harrisburg, Tyler School of Art, and Temple University Center City. The Health Sciences Center Libraries serve the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Podiatric Medicine, as well as the College of Allied Health Professions and the Temple University Hospital at the Health Sciences Center. The Law Library supports the faculty and students of the Beasley School of Law on the Main Campus. The University also provides library services for students attending Temple University Japan and Temple University Rome.
Computer technology plays a crucial role in identifying and locating the vast array of resources owned by the University's system of libraries. An online catalog (diamond.temple.edu) lists library holdings and course reserves and their circulation status, and links directly to selected electronic reserves. The Scholars Information Center network links SIC workstations on six University campus locations: Main Campus, the Health Sciences Center, Temple University Center City, Tyler School of Art, Temple University Ambler, and Temple University Harrisburg. From the SIC workstations, users conduct research using web-based and CD-ROM scholarly research databases and various full text resources; access local and external computing facilities using local, regional, and international networks; and manipulate and analyze retrieved data using popular software packages for word processing, database management, and spreadsheet and presentation design. The research databases and full text resources, online catalog, electronic reference, and other information and services are also available to students and faculty via the Libraries' web site at www.library.temple.edu.
Expert assistance in exploring the resources of the library system is provided by reference staff. Students are introduced to basic information literacy skills through a self-paced online workbook, the completion of which is a requirement of the University's Core Curriculum for all incoming freshman and transfer students. Librarians also provide library instruction classes tailored to individual courses.
The combined collections of the Temple University Libraries include more than 2.4 million volumes and 16,000 current serial subscriptions, as well as extensive collections of microforms and cartographic, graphic, and audiovisual materials. The University participates in the Federal Depository Library Program, through which it receives 60 percent of the publications issued by the U.S. Government Printing Office. Special collections include the Urban Archives, which document the social, economic, and physical development of the Philadelphia metropolitan area since the mid-19th century; the University Archives; the Rare Books and Manuscripts Collection; Contemporary Culture Collection; Science Fiction and Fantasy collections; and the Blockson Afro-American Historical Collection.
When local holdings do not supply needed material, faculty and students may choose to access the collections of other universities and colleges, either directly or indirectly. The University's participation in the Research Libraries Group (RLG) provides for reciprocal on-site access to the libraries of approximately 30 major U.S. academic institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Rutgers, Penn State, Columbia, and New York University. On-site borrowing privileges can be arranged with our partners in the PALCI Academic Library Consortium, which is comprised of over 20 Pennsylvania college and university libraries. Students and faculty may also request books through PALCI's Direct Borrow Program or request books and copies of journal articles via traditional interlibrary loan service, which is based on an international network of cooperating academic, public, and special libraries. The Libraries also offer a fee based service that can supply copies of journal articles from commercial sources on a cost recovery basis.
The resources of the University Libraries are housed in Paley Library (the main library) and in twelve separate facilities serving specific disciplines and campus locations. These are:
- Ambler Library, 580 Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, PA 19002, (215) 283-1383
- Biology Library, 248 Biology Life Sciences Building, Main Campus, (215) 204-8878
- Blitman Resource Center, 334 Annenberg Hall, Main Campus, (215) 204-7350
- Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Historical Collection, Sullivan Hall, Main Campus, (215) 204-6632
- Chemistry Library, Beury Hall, first floor, Main Campus, (215) 204-7120
- Engineering and Architecture Library, College of Engineering, 2nd floor, Main Campus, (215) 204-7828
- Harrisburg Library, 234 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17101, (717) 232-6400
- Mathematical Sciences Library, 407 Wachman Hall, Main Campus, (215) 204-8434
- Paley Library, 1210 W. Berks Street, Main Campus, (215) 204-8211
- Physics Library, 209A Barton Hall, Main Campus, (215) 204-7649
- Temple University Center City, 1515 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, (215) 204-6950
- Tyler School of Art Library, Beech and Penrose Avenues, Elkins Park, PA 19027, (215) 782-2849
- Zahn Library, 139 Ritter Annex, Main Campus (215) 204-8481
- College of Liberal Arts Educational Technology Center, AL-21 Anderson Hall, (215) 204-8265
- Esther Boyer College of Music Alice Tully Library, Rock Hall, (215) 204-5531
- Esther Boyer College of Music Listening Library, 100 Presser Hall, (215) 204-8338
- Social Science Data Library, 863 Gladfelter Hall, (215) 204-5001