Collection is open for research.
Whitman College's Penrose Library was renovated in 2000. At that time, the Allen Reading Room on the library's main floor was named in recognition of a gift from the Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation. Whitman College students use the Allen Room as quiet study space. After the library began staying open 24 hours a day during the academic year, an anonymous student created the Allen Room Challenge autograph book in February 2003. Students win the honor of signing the book by being the last person to leave the Allen Room on any given night.
The collection consists of multiple items, bound volumes of signatures and comments written by Allen Room Challenge winners. Instructions in the front of the books instruct winners to sign their name, date, time they depart, and the professor for whose course they are studying. Many winners also write humorous reflections on their academic work, cramming for exams, and other aspects of student life and culture.