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Access PA Catalog:

The Access PA Catalog is the statewide catalog comprising all the lendable materials made available by participating Pennsylvania libraries.  The collection contains records from public, academic, school, and special libraries, and represents over 40 million objects.  

• For Patrons:  This catalog is intended for public reference only--to request an item, patrons must contact their local library.
• For Library Staff:  This catalog can be used to request interlibrary loan materials.  For access and support, please contact POWER Library Support.

• Searching the Access PA Catalog - https://powerlibrary.org/catalog:
  • To search the catalog enter a title, author, or keyword into the search box and click Go! 
  • On the results page, you can use the Search Filters on the right-side of the screen to limit the results by subject, format, date, and more.
  • Once you locate the material you are looking for, click on the cover for more details. 
    • If there are several items that match your search they likely represent differences in the way the item was cataloged. 
    • For the best results, click on the cover that shows the greatest number of copies (the number of copies can be found next to the item’s format listing, in parentheses).
  • When you are looking at the item’s record, scroll down to see the closest library location which has a copy. 
    • You can click on a library’s name to find out their address and contact information.
    • If you are unsure of your local library, use the Find a PA Library feature located on the POWER Library Books, Movies, and More page (https://powerlibrary.org/catalog), where you can search for PA libraries by zip code.
  • To share an item record, please use the permalink option, located in the left-side menu of each record.
  • As a reminder, patrons cannot place holds through the Access PA catalog.  If your local library owns a copy of the material, you will need to place a hold on it through their online catalog.  If they do not have a copy, you will need to request that item through Interlibrary Loan at your local library.

POWER Library E-Books:

POWER Library offers an extensive collection of e-books for Pennsylvania residents.  The eBooks in POWER Library are intended to complement local library collections, and residents should be sure check out their local library’s eBook collections for more extensive eBook holdings.  They can find their local library’s website by using the Find a PA Library tool.

• Searching the POWER Library E-Book Collection Catalog - https://ebooks.powerlibrary.org/:
  • To search the catalog enter a title, author, or keyword into the search box and click Go! 
  • On the results page, you can use the Search Filters on the right-side of the screen to limit the results by subject, format, date, and more.
  • Once you locate the material you are looking for, click on the cover for more details. 
  • To access a title, when you are looking at the item’s record, locate the Online Content - Find It In ____ box, below the cover image to the left, and click the link.
    •  Users will be taken to that book's e-book platform, where they will need to search for the title again in order to get access.
  • All e-books can be read directly in a browser window, though some do allow for downloading/sideloading.
  • For more information on the POWER Library E-Book Collection, please see: https://powerlibrarychat.libanswers.com/cwal/faq/379664.
• Libby - POWER Library does offers an OverDrive - Libby collection. 
  • This collection is incorporated into the POWER E-Book Catalog, but can also be accessed directly by visiting https://powerlibrary.overdrive.com/ OR adding POWER Library to their Libby App.  When adding/logging into their OverDrive account:
    • Libby users should tap ADD LIBRARY and then type in/select POWER LIBRARY / Online users should navigate to https://powerlibrary.overdrive.com/
    • When logging in/adding their library card:
      • Library Users from a library that already uses OverDrive should select their LOCAL library, and enter in their LOCAL LIBRARY CARD NUMBER and PIN
      • Library Users from a library that DOESN'T use OverDrive should select POWER LIBRARY E-CARDS as their library, and enter in their POWER E-CARD NUMBER and PIN
        • To apply for an e-card:  https://new.powerlibrary.org/about/e-card/
        • To apply for a PIN:  https://new.powerlibrary.org/overdrive-libby-pin-setup-for-e-card-users/