For the fourth year, following the consumer-focused Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving will be celebrated as Giving Tuesday, a day to recognize and support nonprofit organizations. This year, Tuesday, December 1, marks Penn State’s second year of participation — and the first focused on supporting the student-centered University Libraries’ textbook fund.

The purpose of the fund is to acquire textbooks and other course materials for students’ use. While it eases non-tuition costs for students with financial need, the textbook fund benefits all students by providing enhanced access to materials.

In advance of Giving Tuesday, the Libraries will celebrate the Day of Philanthropy on Tuesday, November 17, marking the start of its awareness campaign for this important event. The event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Pattee Library’s Franklin Atrium, University Park, will celebrate the impact of philanthropy. Those not at University Park are invited to participate online via the Libraries’ Facebook page, to view the Day of Philanthropy event virtually — and to share what they love most about the Libraries. 

Penn State Annual Giving’s online-focused Giving Tuesday pilot program includes the Libraries as one of three University areas of special focus. Outreach via email and social media will encourage donors to donate online at giveto.psu.edu/givingtuesday,  where the Libraries’ textbook fund will have prominent visibility.

Especially noteworthy is that charitable contributions to the Libraries will have double the value during the Giving Tuesday campaign, which kicks off today (Nov. 16) and concludes at the end of the day on Dec. 1. The Penn State Bookstore on campus, managed by Barnes & Noble, has pledged to match Libraries gifts dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000.

To help the Libraries build awareness of the value of its Giving Tuesday donor-matching opportunity, social media users can help spread the word about the event using the hashtag #PSUGivingTue on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. (Follow the University Libraries at facebook.com/psulibs and via account name @psulibs on Instagram and Twitter, and tag the Libraries with the hashtag #psulibs.) Social media users also will have the chance to earn points and chances for prizes through “The Nittany Network” on the online platform SocialToaster.com.

In advance of Giving Tuesday, the Libraries will celebrate the Day of Philanthropy on Tuesday, November 17, marking the start of its awareness campaign for this important event. The event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Pattee Library’s Franklin Atrium, University Park, will celebrate the impact of philanthropy with snacks and a fun crowd-sourcing activity and also will officially kick off the Libraries’ Giving Tuesday Textbook Fund campaign to benefit all Penn State students. The Libraries’ Facebook page, found at https://facebook.com/psulibs, will feature a photo album of images from the event.

Both the Day of Philanthropy and Giving Tuesday celebrate the generosity of Libraries donors and the impact of philanthropy on the faculty, staff, and students of Penn State.

For more information, including ways to give, please visit giveto.psu.edu/givingtuesday.