University Libraries

      Libraries offers University-wide De-stress Fest to support studying students

      Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

      UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — During finals week, Penn State University Libraries offers stress-reducing games and activities to help students relax as they study for finals and complete end-of-semester projects.

      University Libraries hours will vary across campus and branch locations and may change during finals week and through the end of semester. Visitors are encouraged to verify all locations’ operating hours prior to their visit.

      De-stress Fest takes place at five branch libraries across the University Park campus and at 12 Penn State campuses across the commonwealth, offering free snacks, games, activities, art therapy and other stress-management options, which vary with location.

      At Paterno Library on the University Park campus, students can drop in at Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library, between 3 and 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, through Tuesday, Dec. 12, for free coffee, snacks and crafts.

      University Park activities

      University Park branch library locations will offer snacks, coffee hours and various activities to students while they study. The full schedule for De-stress Fest activities at all University Park libraries locations is listed below:

      Tuesday, Dec. 5 – Thursday, Dec. 7, Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library, first floor, Stuckeman Family Building

      • Puzzles, snacks and crafts available daily, 5-9 p.m.

      Sunday, Dec. 10 – Tuesday, Dec. 12, Pattee Library and Paterno Library, Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library

      • 3-8 p.m.: Free coffee, snacks and crafts

      Monday, Dec. 11 – Thursday, Dec. 14, Engineering Library, 325 Hammond Building

      • Coloring, puzzles, button machine and crafts
      • Snacks and beverages while supplies last
      • Group study rooms

      Monday, Dec. 11 – Thursday, Dec. 14, Fletcher L. Byrom Earth and Mineral Sciences Library, 105 Deike Building

      • Coloring and jigsaw puzzles provided all day, and snacks while supplies last
      • Group study rooms, One Button Studio, Virtual Reality Center (reservations required), comfy seating and lots of table space for study needs
      • Cub Pantry (Lion’s Pantry partner)

      Monday, Dec. 11 – Thursday, Dec. 14, Physical and Mathematical Sciences Library, 201 Davey Lab

      • Coloring and jigsaw puzzles
      • Snacks while supplies last

      Campus activities

      Campus libraries will offer snacks, coffee hours and various activities to students while they study. The full schedule for De-stress Fest campus libraries activities is listed below

      Monday, Dec. 4 – Friday, Dec. 15, Penn State Beaver Campus Library

      • Coloring, jigsaw puzzles and board games provided all day
      • Snacks, coffee and tea while supplies last
      • Therapy Dogs — Monday, Dec. 11, 1-2 p.m.
      • Research and citation help, group and quiet study rooms, Relaxation Station, Virtual Reality Spot (borrow a VR headset at the front desk)

      Monday, Dec. 11 – Tuesday, Dec. 12, Penn State Brandywine Campus Library

      • Make a winter centerpiece
      • Snacks and beverages

      Monday, Dec. 4 – Friday, Dec. 8, Penn State Fayette Campus Library

      • Guided VR mediatation, coloring, Legos and crafts to help your brain unwind
      • Snacks

      Monday, Dec. 11 – Friday, Dec.15, Penn State Harrisburg, Madlyn L. Hanes Library

      • Coloring and snacks

      Monday, Dec. 4 – Friday, Dec. 15, Penn State Schuylkill, Ciletti Memorial Library

      • Elf Escape Room, design and decorate a holiday card, jigsaw puzzles
      • Snacks

      Monday, Dec. 11 – Friday, Dec. 15, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Nesbitt Library

      • “Bear” the loveable golden retriever will visit during the common hour
      • Research assistance, puzzles, board games, Nintendo Switch

      Library Guide on Personal Health and Mental Wellness

      Studying students may find the Library Guide on Personal Health and Mental Wellness useful, which 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.

      For studying students with sensory impairments or those craving quiet comfort, sensory spaces are located at Penn State Berks’ Thun Library, Penn State Brandywine’s Vairo Library, and in Pattee Library on the University Park campus. Information about space accommodations and reservations is available at participating campus locations.

      For more information about De-stress Fest or for questions about accommodations for this event, contact Megan Gilpin at 814-867-0069 or mcg13@psu.edu.

      Last Updated December 4, 2023

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