UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — On Dec. 3, Penn State University Libraries will participate in Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving that encourages philanthropy and celebrates community-based generosity following the consumer-focused Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year, the Libraries’ will again focus its support on the Textbook and Educational Resources Endowment, commonly referred to as the “Textbook Fund,” with plenty of opportunities for gift-matching during the daylong online event.
The purpose of the textbook fund is to acquire textbooks and other course materials for students’ use. While it eases non-tuition costs for students with financial need, the textbook fund benefits all students by providing enhanced access to required course materials. On Giving Tuesday, all gifts made to the University Libraries at c-fund.us/nme support the fund by making such materials accessible to students at Commonwealth Campus libraries, branch libraries, and at Pattee and Paterno Library.
Penn State’s #GivingTuesday begins at 6:55 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, and continues until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3. All gifts made during that time will count toward Penn State’s #GivingTuesday efforts, and donations made to the Libraries’ during the event will count toward its goal of 185 gifts. Every dollar and every gift has an impact and helps to fill an important need for more Penn State students.
To encourage engagement within the Penn State community during Giving Tuesday, the Libraries will once again employ the Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) challenge. The GOLD challenge is available to all alumni who have earned a graduate or undergraduate degree in the last 10 years (2010 through 2019). With a gift of $5 or more to one of the qualified #GivingTuesday campaigns, that gift will be matched by the University, dollar for dollar, up to $100 dollars. This match will be reflected in the overall #GivingTuesday totals after the event.
Other matching opportunities are offered during Giving Tuesday, making the day the perfect opportunity to stretch your donation dollars, thanks to the generous support of designated donor-matching funds. For instance, the Penn State Bookstore — a University Libraries’ Giving Tuesday partner for five consecutive years — will increase its matching by 50% to a total of $15,000, to help the Libraries reach its goal of 185 gifts.
Research shows that two out of three students have not purchased a textbook for class because it was too expensive, and that one in three students have not taken a class because the textbooks were cost prohibitive. With the support of Penn State’s community of donors, more books will be added to course reserves across the University Libraries, offering more students access to the critical resources they need to succeed.
The University Libraries would like to extend its gratitude to individuals who have given every year during Giving Tuesday: Barabara and Bill Dewey, Dace and Andris Freivalds, Nicki Hendrix, Sue Kellerman, Michael Shanafelt, Linda Struble, Pattie and Ray Tiley, and anonymous donors.
To help the Libraries build awareness of the value of Giving Tuesday donor-matching opportunities, social media users can help spread the word using the hashtag #PSUGivingTue. Students, faculty, staff and the community also are encouraged to join the Libraries from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 3 in Pattee Library’s Franklin Atrium for refreshments and games.
For more information about Penn State's Giving Tuesday campaign and events, including ways to give, visit giveto.psu.edu/givingtuesday. For information about giving to Penn State University Libraries’ Textbook Fund and other giving opportunities, visit c-fund.us/nme or contact Development and Alumni Relations at 814-865-2258.