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Events

With engaging events, compelling lectures, and skill-building workshops, the Penn Libraries is a hub for cultural and educational activity at the University of Pennsylvania. Many library events and exhibitions are open to the public.

Two students perform a Shakespeare play in front of an audience seated in red chairs

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Interested in learning about our upcoming programming? Follow us online to find out what's coming up next!

Event Series

Signatures of eight signers of the Declaration of Independence with a connection to the University of Pennsylvania superimposed on an engraving of Benjamin Franklin

America 250 at Penn

The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and we’re commemorating the occasion with programs across campus.

Ludwig Abielle Sheet Music.

Music in the Pavilion

Presented by the University of Pennsylvania's Music Department, the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, and the Otto E. Albrecht Music Library, Music in the Pavilion takes place in the beautiful sixth-floor Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion in Van Pelt-Deitrich Library Center.

Books on the shelve in the library

Support for Publishing Workshops

Learn the ins and outs of the publishing process through a series of workshops hosted by the Penn Libraries in collaboration with the Grad Center at Penn.

A wide-angle, eye-level shot of two shelves of old books, some with spines showing hand-written labels.

From the Kislak Stacks

Join us for these monthly lunchtime presentations by Kislak curators, faculty, and students focusing on specific works or small archives/collections found among the holdings of the Kislak Center.

Musicians perform in the Penn Libraries

Music in the Stacks

A collaboration between the Albrecht Music Library and the Department of Music, Music in the Stacks brings Penn musicians into library spaces for drop-in, public performances throughout the semester.

Image of Saint Jerome translating the Bible

Workshop in the History of Material Texts

The Workshop in the History of Material Texts is a weekly seminar with presentations by scholars on a wide variety of topics in book history, bibliography, manuscript studies, history of reading, publication and printing, and related topics.

Grid of photos with overlay of icons of open padlocks

Open Access Week

Open Access Week is an annual opportunity for the academic and research community to learn about the potential benefits of open access and share their insights with colleagues. 

Upcoming Events

Jan 15
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Coffee with a Codex: Illuminated Psalter

For our first event of 2026, on January 15 Curator Dot Porter will bring out Ms. Codex 2265, an illuminated psalter arranged in eight sections, probably originally marked by illuminations or decorated borders (all but two of which are now missing).

  • January 15, 2026
  • 12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Online
Jan 15
  • Lecture
Open to the Public

Common Sense at 250: A Panel Discussion

Penn Professors Emma Hart, Sophia Rosenfeld, and Duncan Watts address the power and impact of Thomas Paine's revolutionary pamphlet, 250 years after its publication.

  • January 15, 2026
  • 5:30pm - 7:00pm
  • Hybrid: Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, sixth floor; and on Zoom
An image of Thomas Paine superimposed on the title page of Common Sense from 1776
Jan 15
Open to Penn Students Only

Quizzo through the Stacks

Think you know the library? Put your knowledge to the test at Sophomore Quizzo Night, a fun, team-based trivia event designed to help second-year students discover library services, spaces, and support while competing for prizes! Students will play in teams of four, with trivia rounds hosted by librarians, library staff, and a current student.

  • January 15, 2026
  • 6:00pm - 8:00pm
  • Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, RDDSx
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Jan 16
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Open Studio Session: Time in the Revolutionary Era

Join us for a drop-in Open Studio at Common Press to print a broadside about how the pace of time impacted life in the Revolutionary era!

  • January 16, 2026
  • 2:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Common Press Space
A detailed drawing of a figure from a vintage calendar or chart, holding a scythe. A grandfather clock is to their left.
Jan 20
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Reimagining Illumination: Light in Artist's Books

On Tuesday, January 20, we'll look at the many ways that modern artists make use of light in their book creations - including transparencies, reflections, and electric light.

  • January 20, 2026
  • 2:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Kislak Center Vitale II, Rm 623, 6th Floor
photo of an artist's book, a small square with lights shining through
Jan 20
  • Workshop
Open to Penn Faculty and Staff

AI Essentials

In this introductory workshop, you will engage in hands-on activities to explore the core functions of popular generative AI tools, including those available at Penn.

  • January 20, 2026
  • 2:00pm - 3:30pm
  • Meyerson Conference Room 223, Van Pelt Library, 2nd floor
laptops next to a stack of books and a graduation cap
Jan 21
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Manuscript Studies Interest Group: Recipes

The Manuscript Studies Interest Group (MSIG) is a regular meeting for people who want to get up close and personal with a variety of handwritten objects.

  • January 21, 2026
  • 2:00pm - 3:00pm
  • Kislak Center Vitale II, Rm 623, 6th Floor
Illustration from a manuscript, showing a few people sitting at a table, ready for a feast
Jan 22
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Coffee with a Codex: Austerlitz Memorbuch

On January 22, Judaica Special Collections Cataloging Librarian Louis Meiselman will bring out CAJS Rar Ms 778, the memorbuch for the community of Austerlitz (Czech Republic), dating from early 17th century.

  • January 22, 2026
  • 12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Online
Photograph of an open book, written in Hebrew

Maps and More

Campus Libraries Map

Staff Information

Resources for Staff Committees