UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- A new fact sheet on the Tombros and McWhirter Knowledge Commons demonstrates why this area in Pattee Library is so popular with students.
Since the Knowledge Commons opened Jan. 9, 2012, it has become the go-to place for undergraduates needing media production rooms for movie editing, the One Button Studio for presentation practice, help with software and hardware issues, laptop charging lockers, storage lockers, scanning equipment and printers, group study rooms, comfortable seating and more.
Knowledge Commons head Joe Fennewald noted, “Anytime 24/7, we are always busy. During fall semester 2013, the Knowledge Commons was open 2,384 hours and gave in-person help to 9,783 people.
In the first five weeks of classes this fall, we have seen a 3 percent increase in our gate count and a 39 percent increase in the number of requests made at our library desk in the Knowledge Commons. With this increased usage, in these first five weeks of classes, we’ve actually had to turn away 271 groups due lack of space in our group study rooms.”
Fennewald continued, “ It's good to know that students value the space and services, but this information will drive our next steps to see how we can expand our space to accommodate their needs.”
For more information or if you anticipate needing accessibility accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, contact Joe Fennewald at jaf23@psu.edu or 814-865-0666.