UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Users of Penn State University Libraries’ Pattee Library and Paterno Library will have access to Sunday afternoon and evening hours starting on March 28, following a March 21 soft launch. The largest library complex on the University Park campus will be open 1-9 p.m. on Sundays throughout its first floor and ground floor Collaboration Commons spaces, and will include self-service pickups of user-requested library materials.
Part of a previously announced phased reopening during the Spring 2021 semester, a plan for reinstating Sunday hours took into consideration several factors. Increasing on-site staffing levels required assessing employees’ overall health and health risks, including level of vaccination. Data-driven metrics and Penn State’s most recent operational guidance also were referenced in decision-making.
“We look forward to welcoming students back to our spaces on Sundays, while also ensuring that additional employees who may be returning to work on site may do so safely,” said Leo Lo, University Libraries associate dean for Learning, Undergraduate Services and Commonwealth Campuses.
Pattee Library and Paterno Library’s weekday hours will remain the same as announced earlier in March, with Paterno Library’s Curtin Road entrance opening at 7:30 a.m. weekdays for quiet study, Starbucks at Paterno Library opening at 8 a.m. and Pattee Library’s Collaboration Commons entrance, Knowledge Commons and Commons Services desk opening at 9 a.m.
On Sunday, April 4, the library will close at 6 p.m.
The self-service pickup area for requested checkout items also will continue to open at 11 a.m. weekdays in Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, but also will be available during Sunday hours.
Hours for all University Libraries locations University-wide are listed on the Libraries’ Hours and Locations page.
General library and research assistance is available via chat, text and email and remotely by Zoom appointment through the Ask a Librarian service via libraries.psu.edu/ask, which is staffed noon to 10 p.m. Sunday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday during the spring semester.
In addition, a list of searchable, subject-expert and location-specific librarians available for help is at libraries.psu.edu/experts.
University Park students also can get help remotely from trained Penn State student consultants through Search Bar Services via Zoom. To connect with a peer research consultant, students should visit the Search Bar Services page and click on the blue “Connect with us!” button. Separate links to access peer writing tutors and tech tutors also are listed on that page.