Reading period access: From December 9–18, access to the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center and the Fisher Fine Arts Library will be limited to PennCard holders and other Penn affiliates. Find more information. 

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Upcoming Events: The Lawrence J. Schoenberg Symposium on Manuscript Studies in the Digital Age

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Dec 09
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Origami Star Book Workshop

Welcome the holidays by making your own origami star book!

  • December 9, 2025
  • 2:00pm - 3:00pm
  • Kislak Center Vitale II, Rm 623, 6th Floor
Photo of an orgami star book
Dec 09
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Origami Star Book Workshop

Welcome the holidays by making your own origami star book!

  • December 9, 2025
  • 3:30pm - 4:30pm
  • Kislak Center Vitale II, Rm 623, 6th Floor
Photo of an orgami star book
Dec 10
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Fun With Medieval Manuscripts

Come by the Vitale II Book+Digital Lab (623 Van Pelt Library) on Wednesday, December 10, between 2 and 4pm for FUN WITH MANUSCRIPTS. You'll color your own decorative medieval illustration and make it into a button.

  • December 10, 2025
  • 2:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Kislak Center Vitale II, Rm 623, 6th Floor
an image of an illuminated intitial on top, an image of a weird plant on the bottom
Dec 11
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Coffee with a Codex: Speculum historiale

For Coffee With A Codex on December 11, Curator Dot Porter will bring out LJS 16, a volume comprising Books 25 to 28 of the Speculum historiale of Vincent of Beauvais. It was written in France, probably Paris, circa 1400.

  • December 11, 2025
  • 12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Online
photo of a manuscript page, in two columns, with a large blue and red puzzle initial
Dec 18
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Coffee with a Codex: Qur'ān written in Malta

For Coffee With A Codex on December 18, Curator Dot Porter will bring out Ms. Codex 1904, a copy of the Qur'ān, with instructions for how much to read from the Qur'ān every day of the week added in modern script. Written in Malta in 1654.

  • December 18, 2025
  • 12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Online
Photo of a manuscript page, written in Arabic, with a colorful illuminated header
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 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
Feb 17
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Reimagining Illumination: Make Your Own Illuminated Initial

On Tuesday, February 17, SIMS Curator for Digital Humanities Dot Porter and Program Coordinator of Technology and Play Christine Kemp will lead a workshop where we will make our own illuminated initials on parchment using gold leaf and paint.

  • February 17, 2026
  • 2:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Kislak Center Vitale II, Rm 623, 6th Floor
Photo of an illuminated letter A created by a student
Feb 18
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Manuscript Studies Interest Group: Fragments

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.

  • February 18, 2026
  • 2:00pm - 3:00pm
  • Kislak Center Vitale II, Rm 623, 6th Floor
Photo of a book, which has a binding made from a manuscript leaf

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