Your first time in Pattee and Paterno library might be overwhelming, as it is the first time for many things when you start college. But fear not- here is your guide on what the library offers and a basic layout of where to find things!
We’ll start with the Pattee side, which is closest to the West dorms. On the ground floor, there is a new study area called the Collaboration Commons. It has an entrance and ample tables for students, whether you’d like to work by yourself or in a group. There are outlets at basically every table, so no need to worry about your laptop battery dying!
This area also has group study rooms that can be reserved, which have monitors and whiteboards to aid your work. Reserving a study room is super easy, all you have to do is go to the library website, click services and then on “reserve a group study room.” You can book a room for up to 3 hours and two weeks in advance. When midterms and finals come, the rooms can be scarce, so make sure to reserve yours in advance!
If you go up one floor, you’ll be in the Knowledge Commons, an area with desktop computers, printers and a couple more group study rooms. Coming into the library from the central, main entrance, this is to the left. This is also where the IT service desk is, so if you’re having trouble connecting your computer to the wifi or other tech problems, this is where to come. The students who work here are all super nice, and they’ve resolved my problems in a couple of minutes. Definitely head here if you have any problems!
The Media Commons is behind the Knowledge Commons, towards Curtain Rd. This is where there are recording studios, computers with editing software, and 3D printers. Check out their website to learn more about what they have to offer! https://mediacommons.psu.edu/
When entering the library through the Central Entrance (the entrance with lots of steps) straight ahead will be the Commons Services. Here librarians can help with checking out books, finding things, and obtaining course reserves. Course reserves are textbooks that the library has, and you can rent them for two hours at a time. Most professors will tell you if they put a textbook in the reserve, so all you have to do is go up to the librarian at the service desk and ask for “Course reserve for X class.” Have your PSU ID ready for them to scan and you’re all set! When you’re finished, you can return it through the dropbox, located in the center of Pattee and Paterno or directly to the right from where the lending desk is.
On the library’s main website (https://libraries.psu.edu/), you can use the “Find” search to look-up books, articles, and other materials that the library has. A little trick a librarian told me about is the “I want it” button. When you’ve found a book you’d like, but are unsure of how to find it in the library, the “I want it” button can be used, and a librarian will get it off the shelf for you. All you have to do is pick it up at the Commons Services desk! Now, certainly go explore the library, but I know it is huge and definitely overwhelming, and this is a great tool available.
Another great area on the first floor is Sidewater Commons. This is a computer room with printers and The Search Bar. The Search Bar is a place where you can go for help on research, writing, and technology projects. The tutors are other undergraduate students, who will talk through your project or paper with you. Check it out here.
The second floor of the Central area is called the “Paterno Humanities Reading Room.” This is a big room with old style lamps and wooden tables, and is nicknamed the Harry Potter room. It’s a great study spot and is generally quieter than areas like the Collaboration Commons.
Facing Curtain Rd is the many levels of book stacks, or just “the stacks.” This is definitely another area I encourage you to explore. When walking through the stacks, there are desks closest to the windows that look out onto Curtain Rd that can be used for studying. This is another place that is generally very quiet, and you won’t be disturbed.
As you work your way over to the Paterno side of the library, you will pass another entrance and help desk. This is the East entrance and leads out to Curtain Rd. There is almost always someone at the help desk and they are a great resource if you need directions on where something is in the library.
The elevator bank near the East Entrance is used to get to the different floors of Paterno, which houses specialty libraries, like the Business library and the Life Sciences library. This just means the books on those floors relate to that specific topic, but there are still tables and areas to study.
Further into Paterno on the first floor is Starbucks and a news lounge. There’s not a lot of seating right by the Starbucks, but that’s where the news lounge comes in. You can also find magazines and recent newspapers there.
So, that was an overview of the library and some of the things it has to offer, but I implore you to check it out for yourself! The library is a great place overall, and the librarians are all very nice and knowledgeable. They are there to help you, so don’t be afraid to ask them questions. If they don’t know the answer to something, they will certainly find you someone that does know the answer.
Best of luck this year!!
Mia Wanyo
Team H Envoy
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