Penn Libraries
The Penn Libraries is constantly evolving to meet the needs of the world today. The Power of Penn Campaign has enabled the Libraries to build and preserve unique collections of cultural significance and increase access to information that invites discovery. With new physical and virtual spaces, substantial investments in digitization, and increased support for online learning, the work of the Libraries has had—and will continue to have—a tremendous ripple effect on teaching, scholarship, and research outcomes. As a critical, central entity, the Libraries is now poised to play an essential role in advancing the mission of Penn and demonstrating the importance of a world united through knowledge sharing.
2,198
Donors
$55.6
Million Raised
Highlighted Accomplishments
Increased access to scholarly information through collection acquisition, digitization, and conservation thanks to the efforts of Orrery Society volunteers who helped establish new collection funds totaling nearly $7.7 million.
Expanded and diversified collections, including the Joanna Banks Collection of African American Books and the Arthur Tress Collection of Japanese Illustrated Books, through gifts in kind that preserve and share treasures of cultural heritage for enjoyment and research around the globe.
Digitized print and manuscript collections to create new sources for discovery and investigation at Penn and around the world, thanks to the endowment of leadership positions like the Snyder-Granader Assistant University Librarian for Digital Scholarship.
Created exceptional learning environments, like the new Biotech Commons, through strategic renovation projects, resulting in cutting-edge, beautiful, and inspiring spaces for collaborative or independent study.
Expanded and deepened the Libraries community by welcoming new volunteers focused on collection development, creating a Young Alumni Board, and connecting with Penn alumni and Libraries supporters at events in person and online.
“Libraries are communities of learners, fostering a culture of innovation and creativity, empowering research and inspiring discovery. While the world changes rapidly around us, the extraordinary success of The Power of Penn Libraries Campaign elevates the ways in which we work to democratize information and increase access to knowledge.”