UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — During finals week, Penn State University Libraries offers stress-reducing games and activities to help students relax as they study for finals and complete end-of-semester projects. De-Stress Fest offers students an opportunity to relax and socialize while taking time to unwind during study breaks.
De-stress Fest takes place at all five branch libraries across the University Park campus and at five Penn State campuses across the commonwealth, offering free snacks, games, activities, art therapy and other stress-management options that vary at each location.
University Park activities
At Pattee Library on the University Park campus, students can visit the Leisure Reading Room in Central Pattee Library, near the revolving door, between 3 and 8 p.m. Sunday, May 3, through Tuesday, May 5, for free coffee, snacks and crafts.
University Park branch library locations will offer snacks, coffee hours and various activities to students while they study. The full schedule for De-stress Fest activities at all University Park Libraries locations is listed below:
Tuesday, Apr. 28 – Thursday, Apr. 30, Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library, first floor, Stuckeman Family Building
- Puzzles, snacks and hands-on crafts available daily, 5-9 p.m.
Sunday, May 3 – Tuesday, May 5, Pattee Library and Paterno Library, Leisure Reading Room, Pattee Library
- 3-8 p.m.: Free coffee, snacks and crafts
Monday, May 4 – Wednesday, May 6, Engineering Library, 203 and 204 ECoRE Building
- Coloring, Legos, stickers and jigsaw puzzles
- Snacks, coffee and tea provided, while supplies last
Thursday, Apr. 30 – Thursday, May 7, Fletcher L. Byrom Earth and Mineral Sciences Library, 105 Deike Building
- Coloring and jigsaw puzzles provided all day, and snacks while supplies last
- Group study rooms, One Button Studio, Virtual Reality Center (reservations required)
Monday, May 4 – Thursday, May 7, Physical and Mathematical Sciences Library, 201 Davey Lab
- Button-making, Legos, puzzles, origami and more
- Snacks and beverages, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. or while supplies last
Campus libraries activities
Several Commonwealth Campus libraries will offer snacks, coffee hours and various activities to students while they study.
University Libraries hours will vary across campus and branch locations and may change during finals week and through the end of semester. Visitors are encouraged to verify all locations’ operating hours prior to their visit.
The full schedule for De-stress Fest campus libraries activities is listed below.
Penn State Beaver Campus Library
- Coloring, puzzles and board games; snacks, coffee and tea while supplies last
- Group and quiet study rooms, Relaxation Station, Virtual Reality (VR headsets available), and a Creator Lab MakerSpace
Penn State Berks Thun Library — Monday, Apr. 27 – Thursday, May 7
- Study snacks during finals week
Monday, Apr. 27
- 12:15 – 1:15, Berks Bash — food, fun, and fall registration
- 6:15 – 7:15, Live music from Dime Messina & Walten Liriano, cookie decorating
Tuesday, April 28
- 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Live piano music from Ethan Crouse, Duck Donuts
- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Make a portable zen garden in the Makerspace
Wednesday, April 29
- 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Ritas Italian Ice, visit the Sensory Room to see what’s new
Penn State Brandywine Campus Library — Monday, Apr. 27 – Fri, May 8
- Extended hours Sunday, May 5-Wednesday, May 8
- Coloring, puzzles and snacks
- reDUCKtion scavenger hunt and Make-Your-Own crafts (Cherry Blossom Japanese Lanterns, Friendship Bracelets, and De-Stress Balls)
Penn State Fayette Campus Library — Monday, Apr. 27 – Friday, May 1
- Activities and crafts
- Thursday, Apr. 30, BINGO!
Penn State Schuylkill, Ciletti Memorial Library — Monday, Apr. 27 – Friday, May 8
- Snacks, crafts and games, while supplies last
Library Guide on Personal Health and Mental Wellness
Studying students may find the Library Guide on Personal Health and Mental Wellness useful, which includes many informational resources on topics ranging from sleep and nutrition to digital well-being and exercise, as well as links for getting help through Penn State services.
For studying students with sensory impairments or those craving quiet comfort, sensory spaces are located at Penn State Berks’ Thun Library, Penn State Brandywine’s Vairo Library, and in Pattee Library on the University Park campus. Information about space accommodations and reservations is available at participating campus locations.
For more information about De-stress Fest or for questions about accommodations for this event, contact Megan Gilpin at 814-867-0069 or mcg13@psu.edu.