Reading period access: From April 30-May 12, access to the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center and the Fisher Fine Arts Library will be limited to PennCard holders and other Penn affiliates. See our Service Alerts for more information.

Books on the move: Materials on the fifth floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center are being temporarily moved to our off-site storage facility. For your safety, please avoid browsing the fifth-floor stacks. See our Service Alerts for information about requesting books during the transition. 

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Upcoming Events: Kislak Center

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May 14
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Coffee with a Codex: An Exciting NEW Acquisition!

On May 14, curator Dot Porter will be joined by Schoenberg Curator of Manuscripts Nicholas Herman to show you a very special and exciting new acquisition! What is it? We can't tell you, but we can promise that no matter what kind of manuscripts you're interested in, you will want to see this!

  • May 14, 2026
  • 12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Online
photo of a box with a hand held over it. "What Could it Be?????" is written over the box.
May 21
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Coffee with a Codex: Hybrid Book of Hours

On May 21, curator Dot Porter will bring out Ms. Codex 1531, a book of hours, use of Rome, printed ca. 1507 in Paris.

  • May 21, 2026
  • 12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Online
Photo of a page of an early printed book with illustrations in the margin and small illuminated initials
May 28
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Coffee with a Codex: Franciscan Miscellany (Part 2)

On May 28, curator Dot Porter will bring out -Ms. Codex 869, a collection of treatises, bullae, and regulations of Franciscan interest (for a second look).

  • May 28, 2026
  • 12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Online
Jun 04
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Coffee with a Codex: Prayers in German

On June 4, curator Dot Porter will bring out Ms. Codex 2141, a 16th century collection of approximately 20 prayers with calligraphic ornamentation.

  • June 4, 2026
  • 12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Online
Sep 24 - 25
  • Symposium
Open to the Public

The Foucault Century

2026 marks the centennial of Michel Foucault’s birth and the 50-year anniversary of the publication of his landmark History of Sexuality, Vol. 1. This two-day symposium offers a renewed assessment of Foucault’s thought.

  • September 24 - 25, 2026
  • Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, 6th Floor, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center
Artwork of Michel Foucault with irregular blue shapes in the background and scribbled colorful lines in the foreground

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