MEDIA, Pa. — Located on the upper level of the John D. Vairo Building, Penn State Brandywine’s library offers students far more than just a quiet place to sit and study. It provides access to new and existing resources for students, faculty and staff that are designed to support academic success.
Brandywine’s library is a hub for collaboration and innovation that encourages students to explore new ideas and think creatively. Head Librarian Teresa Slobuski is always looking for ways to add new materials and improve existing ones to better serve the campus community.
“The library has services to help people find the research and materials they need, learn more about different subjects and provide access to physical and electronic resources,” said Slobuski.
Navigating a library or its online database can sometimes be challenging and intimidating, but students can rely on Brandywine librarians for guidance to ensure they are finding credible, scholarly sources for their class assignments.
Aside from its thousands of books, the library is stocked with useful technological equipment such as electronic chargers, tripods, headphones and calculators — all of which consistently have the highest number of usages among students.
The library also offers several lesser-known features, including online subscriptions for streaming movies and documentaries, as well as a full seed library, allowing students to grow their own gardens and contribute to Penn State’s environmental efforts.
Additionally, Penn State is committed to ensuring that no student is limited by financial constraints when completing class assignments. To support this, the library provides numerous desktop computers and a printer, as well as laptops available for checkout for those who prefer to work elsewhere.
The space also features Studio One, an area designed for students to easily film everything from lengthy presentations to short class projects with the touch of a button. It is equipped with a high-quality video camera, projector, iMac computer, greenscreen capabilities, USB port, mounted lighting and microphones.
One of the library’s newest resources is the sensory space, which is part of an initiative to create a more sensory-friendly environment. Backed by research on neurodivergence and sensory inputs, the space was designed for students to regulate and recharge amid their busy schedules.
“In the sensory space, we have egg chairs, fidget devices, noise cancelling headphones and more to support students and help them do their best work,” said Slobuski. The space is open to all students who may be feeling overwhelmed or simply need a moment to reset.
Furthermore, the library is stocked with graphic novels, comics, board games and video game consoles for students to engage with beyond academics. Slobuski explained that these offerings provide students with a fun and effective way to relieve stress between classes.
Slobuski and the rest of the library staff aim to make the library a fully student-oriented area designed around their needs and comfort.
It is a diverse space that balances academic and social life. Some students come to relax and catch up with friends, while others are deeply focused on studying and completing their work.
“We can have a conversation about a new novel or comic, or an honors thesis — it’s a very versatile space,” said Slobuski. The library truly offers the best of both worlds.