Alumni living in the greater Philadelphia area (approximately a 50-mile radius) may borrow library items on a limited basis. You can borrow circulating printed materials (scores and books) for a total of 4 weeks (28 calendar days) and audio materials for a total of 7 calendar days. Items may be renewed once online but must be brought in for a second renewal (complete with all parts).
A $100 deposit is required to open a library account and become a borrower. You can end your borrowing privileges and get your deposit back at any time, if your account is in good standing with no items checked out or fees owed.
Any item recalled for use by a current student, faculty member, or staff member, or for general institutional use, must be brought back as quickly as possible.
Daily Overdue Fines: 25 cents per item per business day (no fines are assessed for days on which the library is closed).
Library account: An online library account will be automatically created for you when you open a new account. You can login to your library account by clicking on My Library Account at the top of the library homepage. You may also create or reset your password here. Your account will show checked out items and fees.
Alumni living outside the greater Philadelphia area may use library resources in the library building when visiting campus but may not check out items.
Any time you wish to visit the library, please first go to the main building at 1726 Locust St. and sign in with the receptionist or security, who will notify the library of your visit. Then you can proceed to 1720, where library staff will let you in.
When you arrive at the library for the first time, check in with the circulation manager about opening or re-establishing your alumni borrowing account. If you are opening a new alumni account, you will need to pay the $100 deposit. We accept cash, personal check, and credit or debit cards.
You will then be issued an alumni borrower’s card that includes information on lending terms and fees. Fill it out with your contact information. This card does not automatically grant you access to any Curtis building, but you can show it to the security guard in 1726 on future visits to facilitate the security process. You must sign in with security in 1726 on every visit to the library.
All visitors will be expected to follow Curtis’s COVID-19 guidelines. Please check for updates, especially the section within the Audience Members and Guests section. If you feel at all ill on the day of your visit, please do not come.
During the semester, the library is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Any schedule changes will be listed on the library website within the Hours section.