UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s Pattee Library and Paterno Library on the University Park campus are expanding hours and services Dec. 4-16 to help students with end-of-the-semester research and finals study needs. In addition, the Libraries is co-sponsoring later on-campus bus service Sundays through Wednesdays during the last week of fall classes and finals week with the Office of the Vice Provost for Information Technology.
Detailed schedules for University Libraries locations at University Park and at Commonwealth Campus locations are available online.
Nearly all of Pattee and Paterno libraries will open at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, and will be open for around-the-clock access until closing at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16. The 24-hour services include the Tombros and McWhirter Knowledge Commons on the first floor of central and west Pattee Library and the News and Microforms Library on the ground floor, west entrance. The Eberly Family Special Collections Library, first floor Paterno Library, will maintain standard operating hours.
A variety of group study rooms may be reserved for groups of at least two people with space for as many as 16 people. Several quiet areas, where talking and cell phone use are not permitted, are designated throughout Pattee Library and Paterno Library. Lounge areas, study carrels and large tables for groups or individuals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who require computers may check the monitors at the entrances to the building for real-time computer availability, or check availability online for Paterno and West Pattee floors as well as other University Park library locations.
Students also can borrow laptops, iPads, calculators and other equipment for projects or presentations through the University Libraries. A list of available equipment and lending periods at University Park and Commonwealth Campus libraries can be viewed online.
DeStress Fest, MacKinnon’s Café hours
Calming and restorative activities are planned for students each day during the Libraries’ annual end-of-semester "DeStress Fest” Sunday through Tuesday, Dec. 11-13. In addition to games, yoga, art therapy and music breaks, coffee and snacks will be provided from 3-8 p.m. each day in 103 Paterno Library.
University Park branch library locations also will provide activities and snacks for students:
- The Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library is providing origami projects and puzzles all day Sunday to Friday, Dec. 4-9, with snacks and drinks from 7-9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, Dec. 4-8, and 3-5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9.
- The Fletcher L. Byrom Earth and Mineral Sciences Library begins its extended hours on Sunday, Dec. 4. The EMS Library will offer puzzles and other study-break activities all day and apples and snacks while supplies last each day Sunday, Dec. 11, through Thursday, Dec. 15.
- Students studying at the Engineering Library can bring their own cup for drinks and snacks from 6-7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, and 10-11 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, through Wednesday, Dec. 14.
- The Physical and Mathematical Sciences Library will treat students to snacks and drinks Monday through Friday, Dec. 12-16, and have puzzles and other activities all day.
MacKinnon's Café, at ground level west Pattee Library, offers an assortment of hot and cold beverages, quick meals and snacks, and will remain open until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10, and Thursday, Dec. 15. MacKinnon’s will extend its hours until 1 a.m. Sunday to Wednesday, Dec. 11-14. The café’s detailed schedule is available online. Vending machines with drinks, snacks and supplies are accessible 24/7 in Pattee Library with water bottle filling stations located on the first floor near the central entrance and in the Knowledge Commons.
Extended late-night Loop service, parking with permits
Getting to and from Pattee Library and Paterno Library during the last week of classes and finals week also will be more convenient with extended late-night CATA Loop bus service courtesy of the University Libraries and the Office of the Vice Provost for Information Technology. Daily beginning Thursday, Dec. 1, through Saturday, Dec. 17, Blue and White Loop service will operate until 2:30 a.m. with a final Blue Loop (eastbound) pickup time of 2:15 a.m. daily at the Pattee Transit Center on Curtin Road. Sunday through Wednesday night service for the White Loop (westbound) will have a final pickup time of 2:21 a.m. at the Pattee Transit Center on Curtin Road. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the White Loop schedule will maintain its regular service until 4 a.m. The detailed loop schedule for Sunday through Wednesday nights is available at http://catabus.com/Announcements/LateLoop.html.
A partnership between the Penn State Transportation Services and University Park Undergraduate Association will offer extended hours of student parking during the final week of fall classes and during finals week. Many of the overnight parking restrictions for student permits will be waived and students with valid permits may park during overnight hours until 7:30 a.m. in lots or decks near library locations. Eligible students not currently registered for on-campus parking may take advantage of the extended overnight parking privileges by purchasing a temporary student permit at the weekly permit rates. Student parking allowances beginning Friday, Dec. 2, through Friday, Dec. 16, are listed here.
Students, faculty, staff and visitors can also call the “Safe Walk” service at 814-865-9255 (865-WALK) to be accompanied to an on-campus location or home within a reasonable walking distance off campus between dusk and dawn. This service, offered by the University Police's Auxiliary Police division, is available 365 days a year.