Come see the invisible sights and unheard sounds of the moments before the big moments … before the counter-attack is launched, the play performed, an execution ordered, a new bestseller published.

5:30pm – 7pm on October 17, 2017

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion (6th floor), Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center
3420 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Free (bring photo id to enter the building)
https://pennrare.wordpress.com/

For behind-the-scenes tours of the Special Collections Processing Center, sign up at http://www.library.upenn.edu/exhibits/archives17.html

The hurried scratching of pencil on paper as a code-breaker races against time…

The nervous pacing of an actress…

Sibilant whispers of advice into the ears of the powerful…

The crumpled publisher’s rejection letter, together with an annotated and crossed out draft…

These are the invisible sights and unheard sounds of the moments before the big moments … before the counter-attack is launched, the play performed, an execution ordered, a new bestseller published.

Catalogers are always behind the scenes, where they delight in finding previously lost or hidden secrets and making them available to the public. Join the catalogers of the Kislak Center to learn about their favorite behind-the-scenes moments found between the covers of rare books and deep in the folders of archival collections. Linger over our selections at your leisure or go behind the library scenes with a special one-night only tour of the Special Collections Processing Center.