Academics

First International Write-In at Penn State set for Dec. 4

Event provides writing support through research and writing consultation, coffee and snacks

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — This year Penn State will join more than 100 campuses around the world expected to participate in the fall 2016 International Write-In. The event will start at 8 p.m. and continue through midnight on Sunday, Dec. 4, in the University Libraries’ Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, on the University Park campus. 

Free and open to Penn State undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff members, the write-in offers quiet writing spaces and areas for small-group collaboration, as well as support from reference librarians and writing consultants.

The Dec. 4 event is sponsored by Penn State Learning, the Graduate Writing Center and the University Libraries. This first-ever write-in at Penn State University Park offers not only support and motivation, but snacks, coffee and other caffeinated beverages as well.

The write-in officially kicks off at 8 p.m. with writers stating their goals for the session, but registered participants can drop in and start at any time during the four-hour event. Participants are requested to register as early as possible through this Penn State write-in form to allow organizers to submit a crowd-appropriate catering order in a timely manner.

“This is a great opportunity for the University Libraries to team up with Penn State Learning and the Graduate Writing Center and provide a productive environment for writers, especially at the end of the semester,” Hailley Fargo, Penn State reference and instruction librarian, said. “We want writers to feel like they have arrived at a ‘one-stop shop’ during the write-in and we will have a wide variety of spaces and support available, and, of course, all-important snacks to keep them motivated.”

The proposal for the write-in at Penn State came during an introductory meeting among Fargo; Joe Fennewald, head of the Pattee Library’s Knowledge Commons; and Neill Johnson, director of Penn State Learning. The event was a natural complement to the existing collaborative effort between the Learning Center and the Libraries, which makes writing tutors available to students five nights a week during the spring and fall semesters.

Fargo and Diversity Residency Librarian Alia Gant, also new to the Libraries’ staff, serve on the write-in event programming committee and are available to answer questions in advance of the write-in event, including assisting persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access. Fargo may be reached at hmf14@psu.edu or 814-865-1850, and Gant may be contacted at acg44@psu.edu or 814-865-9406.

Writers who participate in the write-in are invited to use the hashtag #IntWriteIn and tag @psulibs to share their thoughts about the event on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Last Updated November 11, 2016