The Discovery Lab is a learner-centered library space bringing together complementary collections that support student exploration of information and knowledge-building at all stages of the undergraduate experience – from topic consideration and current events to academic investigation, scholarly communication, and real world application.
Engage with our interactive displays, send us your suggestions, integrate the Discovery Lab into student learning experiences, or contact your liaison librarian to discuss how we can incorporate the Discovery Lab into your next research instruction session!
Faculty handout: Discovery Lab Integration Strategies and Collection Descriptions
Student worksheets: Available on the Undergraduate Research Guide
Idea Collection
Explore research topics, build foundational knowledge, and situate inquiry into context.
- Topical introductory texts
- Thematic ‘surveys’ of facts and trivia
Search the Idea Collection (Use the catalog’s advanced search and select “Berks – Idea Collection (Discovery Lab)” under the Location drop down menu)
The Idea Collection features topical introductory texts.
Engaged Scholarship
Conduct original undergraduate research, scholarly communication, community-engaged coursework, and scholarship as a public good.
- Research methods handbooks
- Service-learning guides
- Student- or -novice-oriented writing and presentation guides
- Citation guides
Search the Engaged Scholarship Collection (Use the catalog’s advanced search and select “Berks – Engaged Scholarship (Discovery Lab)” under the Location drop down menu)
Engaged Scholarship features research methodologies, writing manuals, and service learning guides.
Campus Portfolio
Browse and celebrate the scholarly output of Penn State Berks.
- Berks division faculty publication portfolios
- Berks faculty published volumes
- Berks undergraduate research
Search the Published Volumes in the Campus Portfolio Collection (Use the catalog’s advanced search and select “Berks – Campus Portfolio (Discovery Lab)” under the Location drop down menu)
Campus Portfolio features faculty and undergraduate research output by discipline.
Beyond Berks
Get primed for lifelong learning and prepare your transition to career, graduate study, and self-sustenance.
- Current test-prep materials
- Career and entrepreneurship planning resources
- ‘Adulting’ guides
Search the Beyond Berks Collection (Use the catalog’s advanced search and select “Berks – Beyond Berks (Discovery Lab)” under the Location drop down menu)
Beyond Berks features test prep materials, career and entrepreneurship planning materials, and ‘adulting’ resources.
Ethics & Sustainability
Advocate for the ethical creation, distribution, and application of knowledge.
Search the Ethics & Sustainability (Use the catalog’s advanced search and select “Berks – Ethics & Sustainability (Discovery Lab)” under the Location drop down menu)
Ethics & Sustainability features case study readers, sustainability titles, and guidance on information ethics and intellectual property.
First Draft
Cultivate current events awareness, pluralist sense-making, and civic dialogue, and facilitate connections between research topics and real-world import.
