Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 
    The State Library of Pennsylvania

    Contact Us

    This page contains key contact information for the State Library of Pennsylvania. 

    Location and Directions
    Library stacks.

    Contact Information

    The Office of Commonwealth Libraries provides services Monday through Friday 9 AM– 5 PM (except holidays).

    The State Library of Pennsylvania Main Reading Room will be open (except holidays or in the case of a Commonwealth issued delay or closing) as follows: 


    Tuesday 10 AM – 6 PM
    Wednesday 10 AM – 6 PM​
    Thursday 10 AM – 6 PM    

    For additional information regarding how to contact the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, the State Library of Pennsylvania, or the Bureau of Library Development, please refer to the information found in the drop-down boxes below.

    The Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) within the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) operates a major research library and collects, preserves, and connects state government, libraries, and Pennsylvanians with the information and resources needed for education, enrichment, and advancement.

    OCL is comprised of:

    Susan Banks serves as Deputy Secretary for Libraries and State Librarian.

    Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM

    The office is closed on all state holidays and in of the event of a Commonwealth issued delay or closing.​​

    Email: ra-edocldeptysecty@pa.gov
    Call: 717-787-2646
    Mail: 
    ​Pennsylvania Department of Education
    Office of Commonwealth Libraries 
    607 South Drive
    ​Harrisburg, PA 17120​

    The State Library of Pennsylvania collects, preserves, and provides access to materials for, by, and about Pennsylvania to meet the information and research needs of state government, libraries, and the public.

    Hours:
    The State Library of Pennsylvania Main Reading Room will be open (except holidays or when there is a commonwealth issued delay or closing ​) as follows:  
    Tuesday 10 AM – 6 PM
    Wednesday 10 AM – 6 PM
    Thursday 10 AM – 6 PM 

    Visit the State Library of Pennsylvania:
    Forum Building
    607 South Drive
    Harrisburg, PA 17120-0211

    ​Get directions and parking information to the State Library of PA.

    Staff provide virtual services and programming Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and can be contacted directly via phone or email below: 

    Area of InterestEmailPhone
    Circulation/Public Servicera-circulation@pa.gov 717-787-3169
    Interlibrary Loanra-ill@pa.gov717-787-4130
    Reference and Rare Collectionsra-reflib@pa.gov717-783-5950
    Law and Government Documents Referencera-law@pa.gov717-787-3273

     

    Submit an online reference request for assistance from staff at the State Library of Pennsylvania.

    Ask a question and get answers from a librarian via Chat with a Librarian. The Chat with a Librarian service is a part of POWER Library

    See the current schedule of Events and Programs or view past recordings.

    Visit the State Library STEMlab (by appointment only):
    State Library of Pennsylvania
    607 South Drive,
    Harrisburg, PA 17120
    ​​ra-edmakerspace@pa.gov

    The Bureau of Library Development (BLD) in the Office of Commonwealth Libraries supports libraries and library services for Pennsylvanians through the administration of state and federally-funded programs and grant opportunities including LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act), Library Access, LAMP (Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians), the Public Library Subsidy, and Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities. BLD also provides advisory services, professional development, and continuing education for library staff at public, school, academic, and special libraries.

    If you have a request or question that is related the following items, please direct your inquiry to the corresponding email address:   

    • Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) grants and programs - ra-edbldadmin@pa.gov     
    • State funded contracts (Library Access, Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians) - ra-edbldadmin@pa.gov     
    • Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities – ra-keystone@pa.gov     
    • State Aid to Public Libraries (Public Library Subsidy) - ra-stateaid@pa.gov     

     All other requests or questions should be sent to ra-libdev@pa.gov.