Dean's Welcome Message, 2024 - 2025
Faye A. Chadwell
Dean, University Libraries and Scholarly Communications
We Are… your Penn State Libraries. We are prepared to help you succeed in your course of study or in your teaching and research endeavors. Our expertise is available all across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, both in person and virtually. We can connect you to millions of library resources (books, journals, databases as well as streaming media) from our own top ten research collections and through our collaborations with other libraries, especially via Interlibrary Loan Services. While we strive to make more content available digitally every year, we also have rich holdings of unique and rare materials (manuscripts, photos, maps, papers) in our special collections and archives. The largest of these collections is the Eberly Family Special Collections Library at University Park. Take a look at our featured special collections across our libraries, including the Black History and Visual Culture collection or the Toby and Betty Bruce Collection of Ernest Hemingway. When it comes to scholarly content, we are also happy to introduce you to the award-winning publishing programs of the Penn State University Press.
As leaders at Penn State when it comes to introducing user communities to technology, please know that if you don’t have the device you need, we might be able to lend it to you. We also can introduce you to technology that will meet your diverse needs, and our Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT) unit to partner with faculty across the University to transform the teaching and learning environment(s) by innovating with technology.
TLT complements the critical role that library faculty play in the University’s teaching and learning environment. Faculty should consider contacting one of our expert librarians (no matter the campus) to request course-related instruction customized to meet specific course needs and goals. We strive to support the University’s goal of creating a successful learning environment for Penn State students by partnering with you to fulfill Penn State’s educational mission. This effort extends to the creation of our study spaces that foster collaboration and well-being and enhance group interaction or quieter, solo work. I encourage students to make the most of our spaces. Just don’t forget that we also welcome the opportunity to connect you with amazing content to support your coursework, including course-related materials and even textbooks.
With so much to offer, you may not know where to begin. Where should I start my research for a course-related project? What services do you have for faculty to support their research? These are great questions. I encourage you, even faculty, to be sure and ASK. ASK is our virtual front-line service. ASK will plug you into our network of our library experts. Please don’t be shy. We are here to answer your questions!
We are both proud to be your top ten research library in North America and grateful to our dedicated friends and alumni whose philanthropy supports our excellence. We look forward to helping you succeed in your own research, teaching, and learning activities. May you enjoy a productive and engaging academic year.
Faye A. Chadwell
Dean of the University Libraries and Scholarly Communications