UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — New and returning students to the University Park campus are encouraged to mark their calendars to join Penn State University Libraries' annual fall Open House, to be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 9-10, in Pattee Library and Paterno Library on the University Park campus.
To complete the self-guided Open House tour, new students are required to check in with their Penn State IDs at each tour stop and engage with brief activities or presentations that offer an overview of the Libraries’ academic, research and leisure resources and services. The full tour includes eight interactive stops throughout Pattee and Paterno Libraries. Stops include:
- Creativity Unlocked
- Ask for Help
- Navigate the Stacks
- What is the Special Collections Library?
- Living Well @ the Library
- Finding Books and Articles
- Who is your Librarian?
- Real or Fake: Be an AI Detective
Students who complete all stops will receive a free Penn State University Libraries embroidered beanie hat in white or navy, while supplies last, and an emailed certificate of completion to share with instructors.
After completion of the Libraries' Open House, students should be able to effectively navigate the Libraries' physical spaces; recognize online resources available to them, including the Libraries' homepage, the library search box, and the Ask a Librarian service; identify and use library-specific systems and tasks, such as Library of Congress call numbers; and feel comfortable approaching library faculty and staff for assistance. University Libraries administrators, faculty and staff volunteer at the two-day event to help students navigate the tour and answer questions.
Two University Libraries branch locations on the University Park campus will hold Open House events on alternate dates. Inquiries regarding offerings and activities should be directed to respective branch locations, as follows:
- Earth and Mineral Sciences Library, 105 Deike Bldg., Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Physical and Matematical Sciences Library, 201 Davey Laboratory, Thursday, Sept. 10, at 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
For more information, including physical access and special accommodations for this event, contact Megan Gilpin at mcg13@psu.edu or 814-867-0069.