NEWSWIRE PLUS: PATERNO LIBRARY DEDICATION
Speaking at dedication ceremonies for the new Paterno Library held Friday at University Park, Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno said the new facility should really be called the "Home of Dreams." The new library, he told an audience of faculty, students and invited guests, "doesn’t have much to do with Sue and me. It has everything to do with you–and with your dreams." Paterno then recalled his early visits as a youth to the New York Public Library, "which created dreams for me, dreams of what might be possible in my life. Libraries are a place for dreams."

Sue Paterno, who with her husband led a campaign that raised $14.8 million in private gifts to help build the new library and renovate Pattee Library, described the new facility as "a work in progress," because learning and the creation of new knowledge never cease.

More than 3,000 donors contributed to the building of Paterno Library and the renovation of Pattee Library, according to Nancy Eaton, dean of the University Libraries. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania appropriated $17.5 million for the project. Gary Crowell, secretary of the state Department of General Services, also spoke at the ceremonies, noting "at any other university, we would most likely be gathered today to dedicate an athletic facility to Coach Paterno. But not here, because Penn State is unique, and the Paternos are unique." The comment drew a standing ovation for the Paterno family.

President Graham Spanier, Board of Trustees Chairman Edward P. Junker III and graduate student Erin Rehrig also spoke at the ceremonies. For video highlights, go to http://www.psu.edu/ur/stories/LibraryDedication/index.html. For an in-depth look at the new Paterno and renovated Pattee libraries, go to http://www.psu.edu/ur/INTERCOM/library.html.