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 10 Penn State campuses across the commonwealth, offering free snacks, games, activities, art therapy and other stress-management options, which vary with location.
At Pattee Library and Paterno Library on the University Park campus, students can visit the Leisure Reading Room, in Central Pattee Library near the revolving doors, between 3 and 8 p.m. Sunday, Apr. 28 through Tuesday, Apr. 30, 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, Apr. 23 – Thursday, Apr. 25, Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library, first floor, Stuckeman Family Building
- Puzzles, snacks and crafts available daily, 5-9 p.m, while supplies last
- Relax and socialize with your classmates, or take time for yourself to de-stress
Sunday, Apr. 28 – Tuesday, Apr. 30, Pattee Library, first floor Leisure Reading Room
- 3-8 p.m.: Free coffee, snacks and crafts
Monday, Apr. 29 – Thursday, May 2, Engineering Library, 325 Hammond Building
- Coloring, puzzles, button machine and crafts
- Snacks and beverages while supplies last
Monday, Apr. 29 – Thursday, May 2, 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, Apr. 29 – Thursday, May 2, Physical and Mathematical Sciences Library, 201 Davey Lab
- Activities: coloring, puzzles, wellness boxes and origami
- Snacks & drinks provided: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 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, Apr. 22 – Friday, Apr. 26, Penn State Beaver Campus Library
- Coloring, puzzles and board games provided all day
- Snacks, coffee and tea while supplies last
- Research and citation help, group and quiet study rooms,
- Relaxation Station, for stress relief and motivation
- Virtual Reality Spot (VR headsets available at front desk)
Thursday, Apr. 25 – Monday, Apr. 29, Penn State Behrend, John M. Lilley Library
- Coloring and jigsaw puzzles
- Hot drinks and snacks, while supplies last
- Group study rooms, One-Button Studio, Learning Resource Center
Monday, Apr. 22 – Friday, May 3, Penn State Berks, Thun Library
- Snacks, while supplies last
- Crafts, puzzles and more
Monday, Apr. 29 – Wednesday, May 1, Penn State Brandywine Campus Library
- Activities: button making, sewing projects, quick games, coloring, jigsaw puzzles
- Snacks and beverages, while supplies last
Penn State Fayette Campus Library
- Resources, services, crafts and goodies to help your brain unwind
- Guided VR meditation, coloring, snacks, Legos
Monday, Apr. 15 – Friday, Apr. 19, Penn State Harrisburg, Madlyn L. Hanes Library
- Coloring, snacks and relaxing activities
Monday, Apr. 15 – Friday, Apr. 19, Penn State Hazleton, Loftstrom Library
- coloring circle, puzzles, games, stress management books, stress relief bubble wrap
- Research assistance and silent study rooms
- Apr. 16: Research Party with Reference and Instruction Librarian Shannon Richie for end-of-semester research and citation assistance.
- Apr. 17: Poetry & Pizza for National Poetry Month: Blackout Poetry, Poem in your Pocket, Found Magazine Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Poetry Book Display
Monday, Apr. 22 – Friday, Apr. 26, Penn State New Kensington, Elisabeth S. Blissell Library
- Snacks and coffee, while supplies last
Monday, Apr. 22 – Friday, May 3, Penn State Schuylkill, Ciletti Memorial Library
- Light refreshments, activities
Monday, Apr. 29 – Wednesday, May 1, Penn State York, Lee R. Glatfelter Library
- Extended hours: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Study rooms, snacks
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.