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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Learn Letterpress Printing, Bookbinding, and Book Arts

Learn a new craft, or expand your books arts skills, with the Common Press Studio! Students, faculty, and staff can attend workshops and book studio time, and faculty can arrange studio tours, workshops and other immersive experiences for classes. Our programs include open studio hours, visiting artists, and community outreach.

Learn more about the Common Press

Upcoming Workshops

More Common Press Workshops
  • Workshop
May 14 - 16, 2026

The 12-Hour Declaration of Independence: Community Typesetting

To honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration, Common Press will host a 3 day community typesetting event during which all are invited to hand-set metal type to help create a historically-accurate replica. The final forme of metal type will remain available for printing on our 19th-century hand press through the end of 2026

  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
Open to the Public
declaration
  • Workshop
May 18 - December 18, 2026

Print the Declaration of Independence

Visit Common Press beginning in May 2026 to print a copy of the Declaration of Independence for yourself.

  • Common Press, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
Open to the Public
June 3, 2026

Advanced Bookbinding Workshop: Bradel Binding with Jess Ortegon

This workshop offers a more intense bookbinding experience, introducing participants to the Bradel Binding and in-boards binding techniques.

  • 4:00pm - 7:00pm
  • Fisher B Level Seminar Room, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Lower Level
Open to the Public
Service Category
Audience Groups

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