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Libraries exhibition explores the movement of books
a hand on a hand-made book with moveable parts

Various types of books were created for the exhibition that visitors can touch, including one of wood inspired by medieval illuminated manuscripts.

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Libraries exhibition explores the movement of books

A new exhibit at the Penn Libraries explores the myriad ways books move—as physical objects in different formats, and across space and time—featuring 24 items from the collection, a video wall displaying 26 additional items, and interactive models.
Exploring the authenticity of a pair of storied gloves
Historic gloves in a case.

The gloves under ultraviolet light. 

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Exploring the authenticity of a pair of storied gloves

Kislak Center curator Alicia Meyer is researching a pair of gloves in the Penn Libraries collection rumored to have been William Shakespeare’s, enlisting the help of Tessa Gadomski in the Libraries conservation laboratory to see if the gloves could be from the 1600s.
Equity in Action Visiting Scholars focus on criminal justice and art
From left to right, headshots of Haejin Fujimura, Makoto Fujimura, and Kemba Smith

From left to right, Haejin Fujimura, Makoto Fujimura, and Kemba Smith.

(Image: Office of Social Equity and Community)

Equity in Action Visiting Scholars focus on criminal justice and art

In the second year of the Equity in Action Visiting Scholars program, the Office of Social Equity & Community  will host Kemba Smith Pradia, a criminal justice advocate, and artist Makoto Fujimura and lawyer Haejin Fujimura for the 2024-25 academic year.

Kristina García

A vast collection related to public markets comes to the Penn Libraries
yellowed historic document with a grid of squares and a hand holding a photo

A map of the stalls at the historic Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia. 

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A vast collection related to public markets comes to the Penn Libraries

Tens of thousands of items related to public markets acquired by Penn alum David K. O’Neil create a collection unique in size and scope. Spanning four centuries from locations near and far, his collection now has a home at the Penn Libraries.
What’s That? The Rittenhouse Orrery
John Pollack standing in front of Rittenhouse Orrery

Penn Libraries curator John Pollack with the Rittenhouse Orrery.

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What’s That? The Rittenhouse Orrery

The Rittenhouse Orrery is a nearly intact 18th-century mechanical model of the solar system, demonstrating the motions of the planets and their satellites around the sun, built by astronomer David Rittenhouse.
Art Matters: ‘In the Garden’ by Jennifer Bartlett
Lynn Dolby points to one of Jennifer Bartlett’s “In the Garden” panels.

Lynn Smith Dolby, director of the Penn Art Collection. 

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Art Matters: ‘In the Garden’ by Jennifer Bartlett

During these hot days of summer, the cool of a garden water feature depicted in “In the Garden” by artist Jennifer Bartlett could provide some respite. Made of 270 one-foot-square steel plates painted with enamel, sections of the mural are installed in five locations in Van Pelt Library.
How to donate 80,000 comic books—and get a marvelous tax break
Forbes

How to donate 80,000 comic books—and get a marvelous tax break

Alumnus Gary Prebula and his wife, Dawn, have donated a $500,000 collection of more than 75,000 comic books and graphic novels to Penn Libraries, featuring remarks from Sean Quimby of the Kislak Center.