The Orrery Society

The Orrery Society supports the enhancement and preservation of digital and print collections at the Penn Libraries. Named for the David Rittenhouse Orrery, which maps the movements of the solar system, the Society is dedicated to the memory of Martin Meyerson, former President of Penn, President of the Friends of the Library, and a consummate library supporter.

The Orrery Society has two major objectives:

1. To build and sustain the Libraries’ collections through annual gifts, the establishment of endowments, and obtaining in-kind collections that support our academic priorities;
2. To expand University and alumni awareness of the importance of collections in helping Penn achieve its goals as a preeminent teaching and research institution.

• Individuals or families who establish an endowed acquisition fund at the Libraries at the $25,000+ level.
• Individuals or families who donate annually $2,500 or more to support collection building.
• Individuals or families who have donated books or other scholarly material, valued at $100,000 or more.

Orrery Society Members with collection endowment funds at the $50,000+ level receive an annual report on acquisitions made through their fund, a dedicated stewardship web page, and electronic bookplate recognition in the Franklin catalogue records. Orrery Society Members are also invited to the Annual Gathering of the Orrery Society, which showcases collections and scholarship at Penn.

Orrery Society Volunteer Leadership

Regional Advisory Council of New York