Our public spaces

The primary public spaces of Special Collections are located on the first floor of Paterno Library.

• The Exhibit Hall provides space for changing exhibitions and permanent displays including the John O'Hara study. Current exhibitions are described on the What's New page. Researchers entering Special Collections come through the exhibit hall and check in at the Reception Desk.

• The Reference Room, just beyond the Exhibit Hall, includes a variety of reference books, frequently used periodicals, as well as indexes and finding aids that provide access to our collections. Researchers must come to the Reference Desk to register, ask questions, and request materials.

• The Reading Room provides researchers with a quiet working space to consult Special Collections materials. There are connections for power and data at each table and the room is equipped for wireless Internet access. Immediately adjacent is the Audio-Visual Room, which houses equipment for using film, video, sound recordings, and microforms.

In the adjoining Pattee Library are:

• The Bridget and Heinz Henisch Photo History Exhibit Room, off the Paterno Humanities Reading Room, second floor Pattee, containing exhibitions documenting the history of photography.

• Fred Waring's America, an exhibit area and research collection focusing on the musical career of Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. It Includes a choral music library, sound and video recordings, photographs, scrapbooks, business records, and a variety of memorabilia. The Waring collection is located on third floor Pattee.

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