The University Libraries
The Penn State University Libraries will help you make the most of your learning experiences at Penn State by providing quality resources right at your fingertips! Our helpful faculty and staff are always available to answer your questions and assist with your research. In addition, the Libraries offer special classes focusing on how to use online resources to find books, articles, and other materials. We can also work with you one-on-one to ensure that you know how to find the resources most useful to your chosen major or area of interest. To learn more about times and dates of library classes, call 814-865-9257 or email instruct@psulias.psu.edu . Also visit www.libraries.psu.edu .
Are you in the mood to win some prizes, have fun and get firsthand knowledge of the Libraries all at once? We've got just the thing! The Libraries' Open House provides a great opportunity to learn how to navigate the physical spaces of the library buildings, and to discover the huge variety of resources you can find there. The Open House happens at the beginning of the fall semester, so watch for Open House announcements during the first few weeks of the fall semester in your English 015 and Effective Speech (CAS 100) classes. You can also learn more about these and other opportunities by attending the University Libraries' Orientation session, listed in the Orientation Express (Your Guide to Welcome Week Activities.)
We're not kidding when we promise access to millions of books, articles and more! The Penn State University Libraries are ranked among the top research libraries in North America and also provide links to the collections in other Big Ten university libraries, allowing you to access countless resources. In addition to books, journals, newspapers, and electronic resources, the Libraries have many films, videos and sound recordings. No matter what your major or field of interest, the Penn State University Libraries have something for you. Using the Libraries' online resources couldn't be simpler: with your Penn State access account and an internet connection, you can access the CAT (the Libraries' online catalog) and the E-Resource list (a collection of online databases) for a wide variety of information options.
When you are looking for research materials for class assignments, we've got what you need online or in one of our many libraries. At University Park, Pattee Library and Paterno Library house a number of collections, including the Arts and Humanities, Business, Education and Behavioral Sciences, Life Sciences, Maps, News and Microforms, Special Collections, and Social Sciences Libraries. You'll also find five additional subject-specific branch libraries on the University Park campus, including Architecture and Landscape Architecture (111 Stuckeman Family Building), the Dickinson School of Law (104 Beam Building), Earth and Mineral Sciences (105 Deike Building), Engineering (325 Hammond Building), and Physical and Mathematical Sciences (201 Davey Laboratory). If you like to get out and about to do your work, laptops are available in the Pattee Library for student, faculty and staff use. With an additional library at each of the Penn State colleges and campuses, the Penn State University Libraries have a strong physical presence throughout the state of Pennsylvania.
The University Libraries also provide a variety of resources and services to those individuals with special needs and/or disabilities. Feel free to contact the coordinator of Library Services for People with Disabilities at 814-865-0284, or e-mail shh2@psulias.psu.edu in advance of your visit to discuss accommodations. We want all of our students to have a positive and productive experience at Penn State, and we will help you achieve that goal. Come into one of our libraries or visit us on the web at www.libraries.psu.edu and let us know how we can help you.