The State Library's collections reflect its basic mission to preserve the stories of Pennsylvania and provide assistance to state government.
The collection is particularly strong in the fields of public administration, economics, political science, statistics, education, public services, as well as North American, United States, and Pennsylvania history.
Experienced, professional State Library staff are available to:
- Provide access to U.S. and Pennsylvania legislation, regulations, reports, and publications either in print or on the Internet.
- Perform searches on specific topics.
- Request materials from other libraries via interlibrary loan.
Have a question about our services and collections? We can help! Learn about the various ways to contact and connect with the State Library.
Contact the State Library’s Reference Desk at 717-783-5950 (General) or 717-787-3273 (Law/Government Publications) or Email the State Library using the online Reference Form.
The State Library's collections reflect its basic mission to preserve the stories of Pennsylvania while also providing assistance to the Commonwealth government. The collection is particularly strong in the fields of public administration, economics, political science, statistics, education, public services, as well as North American, United States and Pennsylvania history.
- State Library Catalog: Check the catalog to see if the State Library has books on a subject or owns a specific title.
- Electronic Resources: Collection of digitized materials as well as subscriptions to electronic resources helpful to the government researcher.
- POWER Library
- Our Collections
Obtain Items Not in the State Library
The State Library of Pennsylvania provides interlibrary loan service to enable Pennsylvania state government employees and contractors to request to borrow items that are not in the cataloged collection.
Commonwealth employees, PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) faculty and staff, and commonwealth interns and contractors with a valid state library card may use interlibrary loan service.
E-ZBorrow for Books
State employees may use E-ZBorrow to request books that are not available in the State Library Online Catalog.
E-ZBorrow is used to request books via interlibrary loan from over 68 academic libraries in the Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium (PALCI).
- Go to E-Zborrow to place a request
- Enter information into the white search box about the book you are looking for; use the drop-down box to search by title, author, or subject or try "Advanced Search" to add multiple search terms.
- View the list of results. When you find the title you want, click on "Request." (Note: Only books can be borrowed via E-ZBorrow, not journal articles or electronic resources.)
- Choose "State Library of Pennsylvania" from the drop-down list for Select Home Institution.
- Enter the barcode number on your current active State Library card in the field for Library Card Number. This is the barcode number on the library card issued to you or the number you received via email. (Contact ra-circulation@pa.gov if you have lost your card or don't know the number.)
- The next screen asks you to confirm the request. Select "Circulation" as the pickup location. Indicate a date needed by and add information about specific volumes or any additional notes about your request. Click on "Confirm request."
- You will receive an email at the address associated with your library card account from the EZBorrow system to inform you that your request has been accepted.
- When the book is delivered to the State Library for your use, you will be notified via email and can decide to pick up or have it delivered.
- Pick up the requested book(s) from the library's circulation desk during open hours.
- State Library staff can also send the book to your home address by request. If you wish to have home delivery, contact the State Library at ra-ill@pa.gov after you have received notification that the book is ready. Staff will verify the home address on file and prepare to ship the package to you. The package will be delivered with return instructions and a label.
- To renew books, select the Account Info tab in the State Library Catalog/Primo. Not all Interlibrary Loan items can be renewed as it is based on the lending library's policies.
Request Journal Articles or Books Not Found in E-ZBorrow?
Complete one of the forms below to request articles or books that are not available through the online catalog or through E-ZBorrow:
Contact Information: Interlibrary loan phone: (717) 787-4130 | Interlibrary loan e-mail: ra-ill@pa.gov
Training and Classes
The State Library of Pennsylvania staff offer training classes on using library resources to any agency's divisions or bureaus on request.
There are various types of training available:
General Overview of State Library Resources: 4 hour overview of services available to Commonwealth employees with an overview of the subscription electronic resources
Legal Resources for Non-Lawyers: A two hour class demonstrating the federal and Pennsylvania resources to search for legal information
Specific subscription electronic resources: 1-2 hour classes in how to use the specific subscription resources areas such as legal, newspapers, education, health and others
Trainings can be held at the State Library depending on the size or trainers may come to your site. Tours of the library can be arranged at the same time.
Contact RA-reflib@pa.gov to request training from State Library of Pennsylvania staff to empower commonwealth staff to effectively research using library-provided resources.