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.

Print shows two adults and a child crossing a bridge over water, surrounded by hills and a tree. Two additional people are waving on the riverbank.

Featured Events

Two individuals seated in front of a laptop transcribe text from a scanned document. Another individual points to text on the screen.

August 25, 2022 - March 07, 2023

BOOK.DATA.FILE.

Following one item on its journey, BOOK.DATA.FILE is about diving into the reading room, digitizing collections, and pushing the boundaries of data-driven research and scholarship with library collections.

8:30am - 6:00pm | Kamin Gallery, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, first floor

The three witches from Macbeth Act 1, 1798 image published by Boydell

October 22, 2022

Wicked Books: Witchcraft at the Library

From medieval Europe to modern cinema and Harry Potter, "the witch" seems always with us. How have different cultures invented and depicted the figure of the witch, and why?

10:30am - 12:00pm | Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, 6th floor, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library

October 25, 2022

Truth Be Told: Black Women and the Making of a Democracy

Erica Armstrong Dunbar (Rutgers University) discusses the central role played by Black women in the founding of the nation and their centuries’ long agitation and activism to force the nation to live up to its promises.

6:00pm - 7:30pm | Irvine Auditorium, 3401 Spruce St., University of Pennsylvania

Upcoming Events

Sep 26

Lecture Workshop Kislak

History of Material Texts: W. G. Sebald's Papers and Photographs

Ulrich von Bülow (Deutsches Literaturarchiv Marbach) will discuss the papers of W. G. Sebald (1944-2001), preserved at the German Literary Archive in Marbach, Germany, and investigate the manuscripts for Sebald’s last great unfinished and unpublished book project.

5:15pm - 7:00pm | Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, 6th floor, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library and via Zoom

Photographs for W.G. Sebald's Austerlitz. © DLA Marbach

Sep 27

Writing a Data Management Plan (DMP)

This workshop teaches researchers how to approach writing a data management plan (DMP). After this session, learners will understand the basic requirements of a DMP, understand how to utilize DMPTool to streamline their DMP writing, and recognize on campus data management support.

11:00am - 12:00pm | Online

Two people in a study room staring at a screen off-camera.

Sep 28

Event

Intro to ORCID

Join Nicky Agate (Penn Libraries) and Lisa Nichols (Office of Research Services) as they discuss the advantages of getting an ORCID for research visibility, getting credit for a broad range of work, and reducing the amount of time you spend filling out forms!

12:00pm - 1:00pm | Virtual

Sep 28

Workshop

Being an Organized Anthropologist: Zotero for beginners

Research in anthropology and archaeology involves compiling many sources - everything from books & journal articles to maps, interviews, and a variety of media. Learn how to use the free and user-friendly software, Zotero, in order to collect your sources, keep your research organized, and generate citations for your papers.

12:00pm - 1:00pm | Museum Library level 1

Two students are studying in Level 2 Study Lounge.

Sep 28

Workshop

Ethical Dissertation Writing: Reuse, Permission, and References

This workshop will examine ethical norms surrounding the reuse and documentation of your own and others’ previously-published work in your dissertation.

1:00pm - 2:00pm | Virtual

A person wearing a face mask looks up at a bookshelf in Van Pelt Library.

Sep 28

Make Your Own Paper or Felt Plant

No green thumb? No worries! Drop in and make a paper or felt plant to decorate your space.

3:00pm - 5:00pm | Weigle Information Commons, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, First Floor

A hand holding a bouquet of three paper flowers.

Sep 28 - 29

Book Talk

Conversations with Efrén C. Olivares

Join us for talks with Efrén C. Olivares, whose memoir My Boy Will Die of Sorrow chronicles his work as an immigrant lawyer in South Texas.

3:27pm - 3:27pm | Various locations on campus

Sep 28

Workshop

Intro to Letterpress Workshop / Press Training

Learn the fundamentals of setting type and letterpress printing on the Vandercook cylinder presses at the Common Press letterpress and book arts studio.

6:00pm - 9:00pm | Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts, Lower Level

Sep 29 - Dec 16

Kislak Exhibit

Arthur Tress and the Japanese Illustrated Book

Displaying a selection of Japanese books from the Arthur Tress collection along with Tress’s own photography, this exhibition engages Tress’s practices as both artist and collector, juxtaposing the two media to present moments of unexpected visual poetry that resonate across place and time.

10:00am - 5:00pm | Goldstein Family Gallery, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, sixth floor

Book stand holds two Japanese illustrated books with artwork