Academics

      Library hours extended for study, finals weeks, adjusted for longer winter break

      Most locations to be closed Dec. 18 through Jan. 2; library users encouraged to check out materials by Dec. 17 to enjoy during two-week December break

      Library hours will be extended during fall study and finals weeks until Penn State’s extended winter break begins Dec. 18, when most locations will be closed until January 2022. Students, employees and all Pennsylvania residents are eligible for borrowing privileges and to request check out items at most University Libraries locations through Dec. 17. Credit: Penn State University Libraries / Penn State. Creative Commons

      UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s recent announcement that the University’s December 2021 break will be expanded for all nonessential full-time staff employees beginning on Saturday, Dec. 18, has caused Penn State University Libraries leadership to adjust its locations’ late December operating hours. Pattee Library and Paterno Library on the University Park campus will now be closed starting Dec. 18 through Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, as will most University Libraries locations University-wide.

      December hours at Pattee Library and Paterno Library will be extended during the last week of fall semester classes and finals week. Beginning Sunday, Dec. 5, the library will remain open weeknights until 2 a.m., while continuing to close at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. It will reopen at 7:45 a.m. weekdays and at noon on weekends through Friday, Dec. 17.

      “Penn State University Libraries is excited to offer extended hours to students as they prepare for finals and the end of the semester. We encourage our students and community members to support the health and well-being of themselves and others, including complying with University eating and masking guidelines while in Libraries spaces,” said Rebecca Miller Waltz, interim associate dean for Learning and Undergraduate Services. “Although the Libraries will be open late during these extended hours, we also encourage students to consider their own mental and physical well-being during what can be a stressful time of the year.”

      The Libraries has developed a Library Guide on Personal Health and Mental Wellness that includes many informational resources on topics ranging from sleep and nutrition to digital well-being and exercise, as well as links for getting help through Penn State services.

      Thanksgiving week hours at most locations will remain the same, with modified hours at Pattee Library and Paterno Library beginning with an earlier closing time of 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19, and the library remaining closed for the weekend of Nov. 20-21. Modified operating hours will continue at 8 a.m. through 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 22-24, while the library complex will be closed Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 25-27. Normal hours resume Sunday, Nov. 28, when Pattee Library and Paterno Library is open from noon through midnight Eastern time.

      Most other University Libraries locations’ hours, if already modified for the Thanksgiving holiday week, also will remain the same in November but change in December in accordance with the University’s extended break. Visitors are encouraged to verify al locations’ operating hours online at https://libraries.psu.edu/hours prior to their visit.

      All new and returning library users are encouraged to plan ahead to enjoy extra leisure reading time during the December break by checking out library materials by Friday, Dec. 17, and sooner if requesting library materials to be rerouted from another Penn State campus library.

      Last Updated November 8, 2021

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