UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As a balm for late winter’s cold, dark days, Penn State University Libraries’ LibWell Initiative for Student Well-being has announced workshops, pop-up activities, resources and a virtual book collection to "spark joy" and bolster wellness during the spring semester. The offerings are part of the semester-long theme of “Joy!”
"Spring semester in Pennsylvania can be bleak. Cold, gray days can make the winter months seem to drag on,” said Christina L. Wissinger, Health Sciences Liaison Librarian at University Libraries. “The idea behind the 'joy' theme was to create events where students could come together, have a little fun and break up the monotony of late winter."
“Find Joy in the Everyday: A Mindful Journaling Workshop” will be offered on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 4-5 p.m. via Zoom. The workshop is open to all individuals, no matter their writing ability, and will explore the power of writing and doodling to cultivate joy and gratitude in one’s daily life. Participants can expect activities cultivated to bring focus to the “small, beautiful moments that often go unnoticed,” said the workshop’s presenter, Katie O’Hara-Krebs.
A second virtual workshop, “Tones and Tunes: How to Create a Playlist of Musical Joy” will take place Tuesday, Mar. 25, at 1:30-2:30 p.m. via Zoom. The workshop will discuss the science behind joy and music, what types of music can evoke this emotion, and why. Participants will learn how to create a personalized playlist full of music that will bring them joy.
Pop-up Activities such as Whiteboard Wednesdays — where passers-by can add their thoughts to whiteboards prompts — can be found in locations around various Libraries’ physical spaces. Additional crafts will be available throughout the Libraries, for students to spend a few moments enjoying or to take away.
A virtual bookshelf curated with bestselling wellness titles is available to anyone with a Penn State ID and access to the Libby by OverDrive App. Titles can be downloaded to a device for reading or streaming offline. Additionally, University Libraries curates a wide variety of print leisure reading collections at all our campus locations and a rotating selection of new and bestselling e-books and audiobooks via the Libby app.
More links to help spark joy and mindfulness:
- A collection of live nature & animal webcams
- Penn State Health Mindfulness
- Mindfulness by Healthy Penn State
- Mindful Making Self Care Kit
- Health Promotion & Wellness events
The LibWell group supports the activities, resources, spaces and services necessary to advance student well-being within the University Libraries. LibWell’s purpose is ensure that the University Libraries encourages supportive and inclusive student communities, highlights spaces and resources that enhance student well-being, and provide students with the tools and collections to enrich their holistic and wellness needs.
Direct questions for the LibWell group, including programming information and accommodations inquiries, to libwell@pennstateoffice365.onmicrosoft.com.
For questions about the University Libraries Student Wellness Fund, contact Gretchen Little, assistant director of alumni and donor relations, Penn State University Libraries, at grl5147@psu.edu.