Penn Libraries

08/28/2026

OPENING SOON: To Secure These Rights: 150 Years of Women at Penn explores the wide-ranging and ongoing influence of women on the evolution of the University, led in recent years by prominent scholars of women and gender, will be on display.

Find out how you can see the materials that tell this story, on display in Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center from August 31 to December 11.

Discover the 150-year journey of the women who challenged stereotypes, demanded justice, and transformed the University of Pennsylvania.

08/26/2026

There's so much to explore at the Penn Libraries! This fall, try out one of these unique activities:

🐦At the Weigle Information Commons, you can pick up a birding backpack and a camera to take on a nature photography walk.
💎 The Education Commons has 3D printers, sewing machines, jewelry-making supplies, and so much more that will help you make something special.
🎹The Albrecht Music Library is equipped with two soundproof booths for recording and editing music.
🌠At the Common Press, take a letterpress printing workshop—or sign up for open studio time!

08/24/2026

Ready to kick off a new school year? The Penn Libraries is here to help you succeed! Start the semester off right by setting up an appointment with a librarian, exploring our study spaces, signing up for one of our skill-building workshops, or exploring the multitude of ways that you can access books, journals, databases, and more.

Get started by visiting www.library.upenn.edu.

08/21/2026

New to Philadelphia? Start getting to know the City of Brotherly Love with the help of these books and films:

📕 An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy

🎬 Scene Not Heard: Women in Philadelphia Hip Hop, directed and produced by Maori Karmael Holmes

📕 Tinicum and Eastwick: Environmental Justice and Racial Injustice in Southwest Philadelphia by Will Caverly

📕 Wieland: Or, the Transformation, an American Tale by Charles Brockden Brown

🎬 My Architect: A Son's Journey, directed by Nathaniel Kahn

📕 Benjamin Franklin's Last Bet: the Favorite Founder's Divisive Death, Enduring Afterlife, and Blueprint for American Prosperity by Michael Meyer

Search find.library.upenn.edu to discover how to borrow these materials and more!

08/19/2026

Ready to start your library adventure, class of 2030? Check out our list of essential services and resources for using the library! Our Quick Start Guide will show you how to borrow books and equipment, meet with a librarian, reserve a study room, and so much more. https://www.library.upenn.edu/quick-start-guide

08/17/2026

Welcome to New Student Orientation, class of 2030! While you’re checking things out and settling in to your dorm this week, be sure to visit any of our library locations, or come say hello at one of these special events:

❇️ August 18-19, Visit our table at the New Student Resource Fair.

❇️ August 18 12-2pm, stop by the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center for a chance to chat with our librarians, discover library resources, and get a tour of the building.

❇️ August 19, 5pm-7:30pm, check out Van Pelt Library after hours! Enjoy some tasty after-dinner treats, win prizes at Quizzo, join the silent dance party, and more.

❇️ August 20, 11am-2pm, stop by “the Button” on the College Green to pick up a self-guided tour of Van Pelt Library and learn about library locations across campus.

We can't wait to meet you!

08/14/2026

Have you ever walked by an object in a museum and wanted to know more about it? Not sure how to get started when a professor assigns you to write an object biography? Read these tips from the head of the Penn Museum Library, Deb Stewart. https://www.library.upenn.edu/news/researching-objects

08/12/2026

At the Penn Libraries, our special collections include first editions of classic children’s books, records tracing the history of Penn and Philadelphia, photos taken by celebrated artists and and world-changing activists, and religious texts from Italy, Japan, India, and more.

Penn students at all levels and in all disciplines are encouraged to explore what we have to offer and use them in their coursework and research.

Visit www.library.upenn.edu/kislak to learn more about viewing these treasures!

08/10/2026

You heard us right: New Student Orientation is just a week away! Want to jump-start your journey with us? Check out our guide for new students, which features a schedule of NSO events happening at the Libraries, snapshots of our 12+ locations across campus, and key information about library resources. https://guides.library.upenn.edu/nso

08/07/2026

Are you interested in fine arts, design, music, or anthropology? Our three arts and culture librarians and their staff are here for you! Be sure to visit the Albrecht Music Library, Penn Museum Library, and the Fisher Fine Arts Library during NSO—and beyond!