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Rare sparrows make guest appearance at Penn
Two all-white birds on gray pavement, with blurred leaves in the foreground.

The birds likely have a rare genetic condition called albinism, which stems from a mutation that prevents proper melanin production. (Image: Doug Wiebe)

Rare sparrows make guest appearance at Penn

Earlier this year, Penn Medicine epidemiologist Doug Wiebe glimpsed two small all-white birds outside Van Pelt Library that turned out to be albino house sparrows. Their coloration is likely the result of a genetic condition in which a bird’s feathers lack pigment.

Michele W. Berger

Mapping the Mughal empire
Sand-colored historical city

The Bhakkar fort in modern-day Pakistan. (Image: Ramya Sreenivasan)

Mapping the Mughal empire

This summer, professor of South Asia studies Ramya Sreenivasan worked with four undergraduates to get behind the façade of the Mughal military conquest state, using GIS and deep mapping to ascertain how the empire was formed and maintained.

Kristina García

‘Italian history on the table’
An old book is displays poultry butchering on one side; Italian text on the other

Attributed to Apicus, De re coquinaria is an Italian manuscript dating to the late fifteenth century. (Image: Kislak Center)

‘Italian history on the table’

Eva Del Soldato of the School of Arts & Sciences teaches Italian culture and language through the history of food.

Kristina García

Explore the newly digitized diaries and letters of Marian Anderson

Explore the newly digitized diaries and letters of Marian Anderson

Andrea Nuñez and April James of the Libraries spoke about the newly digitized Marian Anderson collection housed in Penn’s Libraries. “I hope students gain a newfound respect for the challenging realities of Marian Anderson’s career,” said James. “Like countless other Black artists and writers of her time, she negotiated segregation at home and freedom abroad. Music allowed her to transcend these barriers and help her audiences see the possibility of a more inclusive future.”

Borrow books again with Penn Libraries’ pickup services
A person wearing a face covering stands in front of a table of books prepared for pickup.

Jillian Richards prepares requested books for shipment. (Image: Gretchen Stiteler) 

Borrow books again with Penn Libraries’ pickup services

Pickup@Penn allows members of the Penn community to request books and pick them up at Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center.

From Penn Libraries

Newly digitized Marian Anderson collection now accessible online
Portrait of Marian Anderson in 1920 with her chin resting on top of her hand.

Marian Anderson ca. 1920. (Image: Penn Libraries collection)

Newly digitized Marian Anderson collection now accessible online

Penn Libraries has completed digitization of more than 2,500 items from its Marian Anderson collection, now available for public view on a new website.

From Penn Libraries

Better care for COVID patients through virtual reality
A black, six-lens camera in the foreground, with actors blurred in the background.

Kyle Cassidy of Annenberg and a team used this camera, which has six outward-facing lenses, to shoot the virtual reality Narcan training.  

Better care for COVID patients through virtual reality

An interdisciplinary team from Penn joined efforts with physicians in New York to fast-track virtual reality coronavirus training materials.

From Penn Libraries

Virtual cataloging for community school libraries
A pre-pandemic image of a person sitting with arms widespread at a table stacked with books.

Penn Libraries Outreach partners with the Philadelphia School District, and during the pandemic is remotely cataloging book inventories. (Pre-pandemic image: Penn Libraries News)

Virtual cataloging for community school libraries

Penn Libraries Outreach is now cataloging library inventory remotely using images from libraries across the Philadelphia School District.

From Penn Libraries

Performing arts diversity in the (virtual) stacks
Members of a dance troupe linking arms in a line during a performance In a Rhythm by the Bebe Miller Company, performed at On the Boards. (Image: Penn Libraries)

Performing arts diversity in the (virtual) stacks

Diversity in the Stacks aims to build library collections that represent and reflect the University’s diverse population, and extends to the field of digital performing arts.

From Penn Libraries

Penn Libraries expands digital collections, online platforms, and expert support
Fifteen people on videoconference on computer screen

The Libraries is investing in resources to support the Penn community while working remotely, such as buying e-books, gaining access to other digital collections, as well as bolstering the number of librarians available to answer questions. The leadership team meets regularly by videoconference.  

Penn Libraries expands digital collections, online platforms, and expert support

To support the Penn community while working remotely, the Penn Libraries purchased 35,000 e-books, negotiated access to other digital collections, increased video streaming access, and tripled the number of librarians available to answer questions.