Celebrate Earth Week at the Penn Libraries!

On April 22, 1970, 30,000 people gathered in Fairmount Park for the first Earth Day. Organized by University of Pennsylvania students, the massive event featured appearances by poet Allen Ginsburg, activist Ralph Nader, and Senator Edmund Muskie, who introduced the Clean Air Act of 1970, along with performers and speakers from near and far.

Here at the Penn Libraries, this history of environmental activism at Penn is preserved in photographs and news clippings, all part of the University Archives Image Collection. In addition, we continue to share resources, promote innovation, and build collections that foster sustainability at our institution and across the world. Here are just a few of the ways that we're putting sustainability into action today. 

Innovative Approaches to Combat Climate Change: The Penn Libraries' role in sustainability

Check out this round-up of research resources that can help students and scholars in all fields understand and address the impacts of climate change.

Discover – or create your own – sustainable materials with the Materials Library

Learn about this fascinating collection, which houses over 9,000 different material samples that possess varying degrees of sustainable, renewable, or otherwise environmentally friendly origins.

Sustainability practices at the Steven Miller Conservation Laboratory

Here's a look at how our own conservation lab is helping to protect the long-term health of cultural heritage and the planet.

How a Microplastic Filter Got its Start in the Bollinger Digital Fabrication Lab

Did you know that the sustainability start-up Baleena created its first prototype at the Penn Libraries' Bollinger Digital Fabrication Lab? Find out how three Penn grads developed a product for filtering microplastics with the help of our resources.

Sustainable Practices Ensure Longevity of Letterpress Equipment, Moveable Type

What do letterpress printing and sustainability have in common? A lot! Here's a look at how various sustainable practices help make the Common Press a Penn institution.

Earth Week Events

Next week, Penn is continuing its tradition of fostering sustainability, environmental stewardship, and positive change with a series of events taking place across the University. We're excited to be hosting several of them right here at the Penn Libraries:

Upcycle Your Old T-Shirt into a Reusable Grocery Bag

April 22, 11:30-1:30, Room LL02A: Electronic Classroom, Evans Building, Levy Dental Medicine Library

In honor of Earth Day, recycle and upcycle with the Leon Levy Dental Medicine Library. Bring one of your old T-shirts and learn how to transform it into a no-sew reusable grocery bag. (Note: this event is only open to Penn Dental students, faculty, and staff.)

Sustainable Collections at the Fisher Fine Arts Library

April 23, 12:30-2:30, Fisher Fine Arts Library

Stop by Fisher Fine Arts Library lobby to learn about the sustainable collections housed in our Materials Library and circulating book collection! Michael Carroll and Kathryn Reuter will be on site to share some favorite materials and answer questions.

Origami with Bioplastics

April 25, 1pm-3pm, Fisher Fine Arts Library

Who would have thought that bioplastics were easy to make? Drop by to learn about the process and fold origami with sheets of this material made at the Materials Library.

Birding in Penn Park

April 26, 10am-12pm. Meet at the Button.

Join UPenn Quakers and the Environmental Innovations Initiative for a beginner-friendly birding event within Penn Park! Don't have any birding equipment? Borrow one of the Penn Libraries birding backpacks before you go.