Answered By: Ed
Last Updated: Mar 29, 2024     Views: 115

Please Note:  The Pennsylvania State Archives (PSA) collections (https://powerlibrary.org/psa/ and https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/psa/) are distinct from PA Photos & Documents itself.  The PSA archives are a department of the PA Historical and Museum Commission and all questions related to PSA and its materials should be directed to: For specific information request forms and their fee schedule, please see: https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Archives/archives-forms/Pages/default.aspx

How do I "view" an item?

  • To view an item from a search result screen, click on either the item’s thumbnail image, title, or MORE button located at the bottom of the description
  • The item will then be displayed on a new page
    • All objects will be displayed with an associated viewer/player, enabling the user to access the item without having to use third-party software; so for example, if the item is a commencement address, a corresponding audio player will be displayed with the item; is the item is a PDF document, a corresponding PDF viewer will be displayed
    • NOTE:  If the item is an image, using the scroll-wheel of a mouse while over the image will result in the image zooming in/out; to move the page down, use the scroll bar located at the side of the window
  • To view the description and other data/metadata associated with that item, click on the i (read more) button located at the bottom-left of the item
  • Directly below the item will now be displayed:
    • The Breadcrumb Trail – showing both the collection the item belongs to and its official title
      • If this item was discovered through a search, the Breadcrumb Trail can be a great way of getting from the item back to its home collection; this can be helpful if you are trying to find additional, related materials
    •  The Cite This button – which provides machine-generated citations for the item in MLA, APA, and Chicago citation styles
      • Please note: the citations presented are machine-generated and created using the metadata associated with that object; this means is that there may be inconsistencies or missing information in the citation as generated, depending on how that metadata was entered
    • The Details (Metadata Record) – which displays all of the data/metadata entered by the cataloger about this particular object
      • Please Note:  Information about the owning institution will be included in the Contributing Institution field; likewise, information about the copyright/rights-usage will be included in the Rights field
        • Refer to the Rights field for information on how items in PA Photos and Documents can legally be used; if the record includes the Contact field, please reference for contributor-specific information which often includes usage information

 

How do I "print" an item?

  • Printing an image or document:
    • For best results, images and other documents (with the exception of newspapers, eBooks, or other multi-page documents) should be downloaded to your device and then printed
    • To download an image or other document, click on the Download button located to the bottom-left of the object (next to the i (read more) button)
    • Save a copy of the object to your device and then use your device to open/print it
      • Please Note:  If the item was originally digitized in the JPEG2000 (.JP2) format, viewing that item on your device may require additional plugins/software; you can find more information about the file format, as well as a list of viewing options, here:  https://powerlibrary.org/jpeg2000/
  • Printing from a newspaper, eBook, or other multi-page documents:
    • Most large, multi-page objects cannot be downloaded in their entirety
    • To print an excerpt from a newspaper, eBook, or other multi-page document, right-click on the desired page and click the Save Image option
    • Save a copy of the object to your device and then use your device to open/print it
  • Printing the information/metadata associated with an item:
    • Click on your browser’s print button
    • A complete transcript of the information/metadata will be displayed in the document preview, as well as a thumbnail of the item itself (if available)

 

How do I "download" an item?

  • Please note:  Refer to the Rights field for information on how items in PA Photos and Documents can legally be used; if the record includes the Contact field, please reference for contributor-specific information which often includes usage information
  • For most items, a Download button is located to the bottom-left of the object (next to the i (read more) button)
    • Items which cannot be downloaded in their entirety include newspapers, eBooks, and other multi-page documents; these can only be downloaded/saved on a page-by-page basis
    • If the item was originally digitized in the JPEG2000 (.JP2) format, viewing that item on your device may require additional plugins/software; you can find more information about the file format, as well as a list of viewing options, here:  https://powerlibrary.org/jpeg2000/

POWER Library

POWER Library logo

 

This project is made possible in part by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Library Access funds administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on these pages do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services or the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

PaPD Logo

POWER Library

POWER Library - Pennsylvania's eLibrary
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.