Fisher Fine Arts Library — Local services in Philadelphia

The Furness Library, which also known as the Fisher Fine Arts Library, is located in Philadelphia on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, on the east side of College Green It's also the main archive of the world known architect Louis Khan. The library was designed by Frank Furness in the early 19 hundreds. The features some dragon heads on the top around the building. The red bricks and stone gives a vivid colors and strong structure. The archive access is on the side by the 34th street. It is one of the most beautiful inspirational places you could visit around campus specially Louis Khan collection. The staff are friendly, and exhibit varies. The library itself one of many libraries at the University of Pennsylvania and part of the Ivy league libraries network borrowdirect. It's a very calm atmosphere and perfect for study and research that your mouse clicks feel loud. It has a digital archiving lab including 3D scanning. Multiple reading rooms/areas between closed and open. It’s only for Penn members, but guests are welcomed. Public can walk around the building and use restrooms without permission. I recommend going upstairs to observe the campus and see the...

The Fisher Fine Arts Library, a historic landmark at the University of Pennsylvania, is an architectural marvel designed by Frank Furness. Opened in 1891, it served as the university’s primary library until 1962. Known for its Venetian Gothic style, the building is a blend of red sandstone, brick, and terracotta, resembling part fortress, part cathedral. It houses the Arthur Ross Gallery, the Architectural Archives, and the Common Press, among other resources. The library’s design is innovative, with a circulation tower separate from the reading rooms and stacks, and a main reading room illuminated by a grand skylight. After a significant restoration, it was renamed to honor Anne and Jerome Fisher, reflecting its continued importance to the...

Reading carrels in the Fisher Fine Arts Library (lovingly referred to as 'the Furness building' by architecture history nerds) are reserved for final-year PennDesign graduate students and professors. Carrels are also commandeered by enterprising undergrads who know that Fisher is certainly the most beautiful (and dare I say holy) place to...