Access to the College Green area of campus will be restricted until further notice. Current students, faculty and staff with a valid Penn card may enter and exit Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center through the Rosengarten Undergraduate Study Center on the ground floor, and may enter and exit the Fisher Fine Arts Library through the 34th Street entrance to Meyerson Hall. 

During reading period, April 30 to May 14: Access to both Van Pelt and Fisher Fine Arts Library is limited. Find more information.

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African American Literature (General Collections)

The Library collects contemporary works by African-American authors in all formats and genres, including genre fiction (science fiction, fantasy, detective novels, thrillers, etc.), novels, play scripts, comic books and graphic novels. Musical recordings, television shows, feature films, and documentaries by and featuring African Americans are also well represented.

The first page of the comic book biography of Mabel K. Staupers, published in Negro Heroes, no. 2 (summer issue), 1948

Collection Overview

The library has a strong collection of contemporary fiction, including works such as N.K. Jemisin's multiple award winning Broken Earth Trilogy.  

Cover of The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin

Aside from major hits, the Library also collects less known works such as Claudia Rankine's one-act play The White Card.

Cover of The White Card by Claudia Rankine

 

Resources Described in Franklin

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