Social work has broad themes of care giving, social justice, human rights, human service, and overall public welfare. The Penn Libraries have several special collections that meet these themes and are worth accessing.
In regards to care-giving, scholars should see Archie J. and Mary S. Hanlan Papers (covers topics about death and caring for the dying); as well as the Jeanne Quint Benoliel Papers (covers documents from the International Work Group on Death, Dying and Bereavement) or the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Philadelphia Records.
Topic of social justice and human rights can be researched in special collections such as the Paul Lowinger Papers (activist and founder of the Institute of Social Medicine and Community Health), or the Allan Solomonow Papers (a Jewish peace activist). There are also collections from several relevant organizations/agencies such as the American Law Institute's Statement of Essential Human Rights Project Records; the Medical Committee for Human Rights Records ; and the Women's Health Concern's Committee Records.
Related to therapy and human services researchers should see collections such as the Margaret Naumburg Papers (proponent of art therapy); or the Vera Dreiser Papers (psychologist).
