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 eight 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 on the University Park campus, students can visit the Leisure Reading Room in Central Pattee Library, near the revolving door, between 3 and 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, through Tuesday, Dec. 17, 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. 10 – Thursday, Dec. 12, Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library, first floor, Stuckeman Family Building
- Puzzles, snacks and crafts available daily, 5-9 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 15 – Tuesday, Dec. 17, Pattee Library and Paterno Library, Leisure Reading Room, Pattee Library
- 3-8 p.m.: Free coffee, snacks and crafts
Monday, Dec. 16 – Thursday, Dec. 19, Engineering Library, 203 ECoRE Building
- Coloring, puzzles and crafts
- Snacks and beverages, while supplies last
Monday, Dec. 16 – Thursday, Dec. 19, 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
- Food Pantry
Monday, Dec. 16 – Thursday, Dec. 19, Physical and Mathematical Sciences Library, 201 Davey Lab
- Coloring and jigsaw puzzles, origami, Wellness Boxes
- Snacks, while supplies last
Campus libraries 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. 9 – Friday, Dec. 20, Penn State Berks Thun Library
- De-Stress Station (arts & crafts), Study Spaces, Sensory Room, Wellness Collection, and Research assistance
- Snacks, coffee and tea while supplies last
- Special events:
Monday, Dec 9, 7-8 p.m. — therapy dogs
Tuesday, Dec 10, 10 a.m. — donuts & coffee
Wednesday, Dec 11, 12:15 p.m. — soft pretzels from Philly Pretzel Factory
Thursday, Dec 12, 6 p.m. — hot cocoa
Friday, Dec 13, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — screenprinting in the Makers Space
Sunday, Dec 15, 2 p.m — coffee & cookies
Monday, Dec. 16 – Wednesday, Dec. 18, Penn State Brandywine Campus Library
- Visit the Glass Lab for various treats and activities
Monday, Dec. 9 – Friday, Dec. 13, Penn State Fayette Campus Library
- Resources, services and crafts to help your brain unwind
- Snacks
Monday, Dec. 9 – Friday, Dec.13, Penn State Great Valley
- Coloring, puzzles, Gaming Competition
- Snacks for students, while supplies last
Monday, Dec. 9 – Friday, Dec.13, Penn State Hazleton Lofstrom Library
- snacks, games, coloring, stress relief bubble wrap
- Reference librarians and Math Dimension for help with finals and studying
- Upper-level quiet study spaces and silent study rooms
- Student kitchenette: Keurig Coffee machine, K-Cups, creamer. Bring your own mug.
Monday, Dec. 16 – Friday, Dec. 20, Penn State Harrisburg, Madlyn L. Hanes Library
- Coloring and snacks throughout the week
Monday, Dec. 9 – Friday, Dec. 20, Penn State Schuylkill, Ciletti Memorial Library
- Snacks, crafts, games
- Tabletop escape room activitiy
Monday, Dec. 9 – Friday, Dec. 13, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Nesbitt Library
- Board games, puzzles, arcade room, crafting space for relaxation
- A large collection of leisure movies and TV shows to watch
- Coffee and tea, while supplies last
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 [email protected].
