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

Dec 01 - 18
Open to Penn Students Only

Virtual Study Break

Need a study break? Visit the Virtual Study Break Canvas site for a collection of stress-relieving online activities.

  • Dec 1 - Dec 18, 2025
  • Virtual
Line drawing of Penn's college hall and Broken Button sculpture
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
Open to Penn Students Only

Holman Community Study Hours

Community Study hours offer an encouraging, safe, and quiet study space for students at a dedicated time, promoting accountability and shared focus. Come to work with other students with free snacks!

  • December 9, 2025
  • 3:00pm - 5:00pm
  • Biotech Commons-Holman Reading Room
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 09
  • Workshop
Open to Penn Students Only

Community Study Sessions -- December

Need motivation to study? Join our monthly Community Study Sessions — a relaxed, supportive space to stay focused, meet others, and enjoy free snacks.

  • December 9, 2025
  • 6:00pm - 8:00pm
  • Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, Weigle Information Commons' Class of 1968 Seminar Room (124)
Seminar table
Dec 10
  • Lecture
Open to the Public

Penn Libraries Presents: Preserving the Sanborn Map Company Fire Insurance Map Collection

Join us to learn about the conservation journey of Fisher Fine Arts Library’s collection of Sanborn Map Company fire insurance maps, from the initial project proposal back in 2022 up to current efforts to treat and rehouse the items. The collection includes nineteen folio volumes of bound maps for Philadelphia, Delaware, and Montgomery counties.

  • December 10, 2025
  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm
  • Class of '55 Room 241, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, and Zoom
Plan of the city and suburbs of Philadelphia, 1794
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 10
Open to Penn Students Only

DeStress Fest

Take a breather before finals with an evening of relaxing activities!

  • December 10, 2025
  • 4:00pm - 5:30pm
  • Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, various locations
collage of four images showing a dog being pet, zine making, a cup of tea, and two flautists performing
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

Maps and More

Campus Libraries Map

Staff Information

Resources for Staff Committees