The Library of the Union League exists to serve the intellectual, cultural and recreational needs of the members. Within the larger book collection, the Library maintains three smaller collections: the Civil War Collection, the Member Collection, and Philadelphia and Pennsylvania history.
The Civil War collection is all-encompassing. It includes materials written about the American Civil War and is available in both book and audiovisual format. The Library also collects any books written and published by members of the Union League, kept in a special Member’s Collection. Additionally, the Library has an extensive collection of books on Pennsylvania and Philadelphia history. The recreational needs of the members are being met by the acquisition of best sellers, audiobooks and DVDs.
In total, The Union League Library’s collection consists of over 33,000 items, as well as subscriptions to 18 magazines and 4 newspapers.
Reference Service and assistance is available at the Union League Library. The Librarian is happy to assist all members make the most of their library visit. In addition to providing research assistance, the librarian can also guide members in searching the library’s online catalog, surfing the web as well as finding just the right book or audiovisual.
Researchers are encouraged to make an appointment with the Librarian to discuss research topics prior to visiting the library.
The Library is staffed Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For further information, please email Becca Benton at bentonb@unionleague.org or Joe Tresnan at library@unionleague.org, or call 215-587-5594.
Union League members are eligible to borrow all circulating library materials. A current Union League of Philadelphia membership card is required in order to borrow library materials.
Researchers not affiliated with the Union League but with related research needs may make an appointment with the Librarian in order to conduct research. Researchers may not check out library materials but may use them in the Union League Library.
Union League members may borrow all circulating Fiction, Non-fiction and Audios for two weeks. DVD’s and Videos may be borrowed for one week. All items may be renewed for an additional two weeks.
Circulating books, DVD’s Videos, Audios and CD’s may be renewed once for an additional two week borrowing period if no one else has requested them. Contact the Librarian at library@unionleague.org to renew materials.
The Librarian will gladly place a book on RESERVE for members. If an item is checked out, members may place a RESERVE request on it. This prevents the member who has it checked out from renewing it but it does not affect the due date. When an item with a Reserve on it is returned, the member will receive an email or phone call from the Librarian stating that the item is ready for pick up.
The Union League of Philadelphia Library is maintained for the use of Union League members. However, it does honor a reciprocal access and borrowing arrangement with members of the PACSCL (Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collection Libraries). PACSCL members wishing access to the Union League Library’s collection should contact the Librarian at library@unionleague.org.
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140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 • 215-563-6500