Ever since Benjamin Franklin founded the nation’s first public library, Pennsylvanians have been emPOWERed by their libraries—to research, study, learn, communicate, discover new interests, develop new skills, retool their careers, and find their pathway through life.
In support of these endeavors, the State Library of Pennsylvania fostered the development and expansion of a statewide database of library catalogs, accessible from a single website on the Internet for all residents of Pennsylvania. This service, Access Pennsylvania, enabled resource sharing across the Commonwealth. Services provided by the State Library of Pennsylvania grew to include electronic databases, digital collections, and a 24/7 live chat service. In 2013, all of these services were united under a single web portal and named POWER Library.
POWER Library is the online portal to all that Pennsylvania libraries offer. This is the place to find trustworthy answers to questions about healthcare, consumer purchases, personal finances, and much more. Enjoy 24/7 access to newspapers, magazines, journals, historical documents and photos, online databases, and eBooks. Research a subject. Learn about your family history. Locate a title. Explore career options. It’s all here at POWER Library.
If you’re not sure where (or how) to start, Let Ben Be Your Guide or Chat directly with a librarian. Experienced librarians are on hand to assist. They may be able to answer your question then and there, email information later, or suggest resources to explore.
Most of the site is open for browsing, but, to use the online e-resources, you must have a library card issued by a library in Pennsylvania or you can obtain an eCard that will allow you to access the POWER Library e-resources.
POWER Library is a service of the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Pennsylvania Department of Education, and is hosted by HSLC.
