Penn State will host its annual Library Open House virtually this year from Monday, September 7 through Friday, September 18.

Things will look a little different time around, as students will learn more about library resources rather than locating important places like the Library Starbucks. Students will be asked to perform a series of tasks around the facility to earn a digital badge upon completion.

Participants can complete the virtual event at their own pace, though completion should take about an hour.

Once all of the work has been submitted and verified, participants can send a link to the badge, a screenshot of the badge, or a screenshot of their profile to their instructor.

Tasks might include reading a page of a book, watching a video, performing a search, and answering questions that will then be evaluated by libraries’ staff and faculty before the end of October.

“What’s different about badge system — compared to a certificate — is that a human has to review each student’s submission to complete the evaluation portion of the badge,” Megan Gilpin, outreach coordinator, Library Learning Services and organizer of the Libraries Open House, said. “Multiplied by approximately 3,000 students, and you can see that this will take some time!”

Participants must complete five steps that reflect the University Libraries’ current event learning outcomes, excluding navigating locations such as the stacks (thankfully). Students will be taught how to read a call number, what library guides are, how to use LionSearch, what course reserves are, and how to get help if they need it.

University Libraries is encouraging faculty to require students to participate, whether it’s for homework or an extra credit assignment.

Questions or concerns about the Open House can be sent here.