PURPOSE:
The Foster Auditorium was designed foremost as a library instruction facility for large classes. Secondarily, it can be used to meet other Library needs that exceed the space in Library conference and seminar rooms or the Mann Assembly Room. Finally, it is available for other cosponsored university purposes as time is available. Requests to use Foster Auditorium will be approved based on the following criteria, in priority order below:
- Library instruction sessions conducted by PSU librarians.
- Library staff instruction and staff meetings too large to be accommodated in smaller seminar and conference rooms or the Mann Assembly Room.
- Library events (speakers, donor events, etc.)
- Academic events co-sponsored by the University Libraries and another academic unit of the university.
Requests by academic events that are not co-sponsored by the Libraries, as well as those from non-academic university units, such as student organizations and non-university organizations, should be referred to the Penn Stater, Nittany Lion Inn, or the HUB as more appropriate sites.
The Foster Auditorium is in proximity to library study areas; therefore, control of excessive noise is important. The room is not designed for performances; therefore, no performances (musical events, plays, etc.) will be permitted.
Foster Auditorium is intended for large groups and normally should not be scheduled for sessions of fewer than 40 people. Exceptions for groups of 25 or larger will be made for instructional purposes where it is not necessary for students to have hands-on access to workstations and will allow better utilization of the computer lab located at 302 Paterno.
Food and drink are NOT permitted in the Auditorium or in the lobby area outside the Auditorium.
PROCEDURES:
- Scheduling of the Foster Auditorium will be managed by the Staff Assistant to the Associate Dean for Collections, Information and Access Services, in the Dean's Office (865-0401). Requests for exceptions to these priorities should be addressed to the Assistant and/or Associate Deans or the Dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications, with a rationale for why an exception should be considered.
A Meeting Maker organizer manages use of the room. Each request will be approved or declined, based on the approved use/purpose statement listed above.
- Requests for a meeting time must be received at least forty-eight (48) hours before the event. All room reservations must be made by proposing the event using Meeting Maker and "inviting" Foster Auditorium as a guest. The invitation should include the following information in the Notes or Agenda section of the proposal:
- Purpose of the activity,
- Sponsoring department and how many people are expected to attend,
- List University Libraries contact person to assist with arrangements.
- For events involving external groups or classes, co-sponsoring by a University Libraries' department is required. The Libraries' contact for the co-sponsoring department must be present during the event and be responsible for all arrangements for the event.
- An email will be sent to the contact person listed on the meeting proposal within 24 hours of meeting request being accepted, confirming the room reservation and attaching a copy of Foster Auditorium Guidelines and Quick Reference Guide.
- For panel discussions or needs of speakers with ADA requirements, contact Facilities at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled event (phone: 5-4633).
- The equipment in the auditorium includes:
- a notebook pc and projection capability
- two screens
- lapel and regular microphones
- VCR/DVD and CD-ROM
- lighting controls
- open port access for all seats
- For assistance concerning specialized computer/workstation issues, contact Digital Library Technologies (DLT) at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled event (phone: 863-0647). Network connectivity and equipment requirements should be discussed with DLT staff as soon as possible after scheduling the room, but not later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled event. Any special services, such as laptop software loads, require longer lead time. To schedule a technician's time to set up or discuss network or computing needs for an event, invite "technician help" on Meeting Maker (located under Resources in the Public Directory)
- Computer and network support is not provided on evenings and weekends. Requests for support for evenings and weekends by staff of these areas will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and should be directed to DLT staff.
- In instances where presenters are non-library employees, advance notice for network connectivity should be arranged with DLT.
- Because of the complexity of lighting, sound, and computing facilities in Foster Auditorium, any event scheduled by non-library organizations must provide, at their expense, a media technician from MediaTech who is trained in the operation of the room's equipment. Library staff not trained to use the equipment also should book a media technician through MediaTech, at least 72 hours in advance (phone 5-5400).
In the event of equipment failure, other than computer workstation, during regular working hours (Monday-Friday, 7:45 am–4:00 pm), contact MTSS at 865-5400. After 4 pm, contact MTSS at 777-0384. Contact DLT for workstation assistance in an emergency.
- MTSS technicians will provide a free orientation session to faculty and staff using Foster Auditorium. The training session may be scheduled by calling MTSS Equipment Scheduling (5-5400) at least 72 hours prior to the event.
- Lending Services' staff are not responsible and have not been trained in the setup or shutting down of Foster Auditorium Equipment. User's Guides are available in Foster Auditorium and will be provided via email when room confirmation is sent.
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