Most adults can remember times in their school days when many evenings and weekend days were spent in their local libraries, researching information needed to complete a term paper or book report. The time available for such work was by necessity limited to the hours that the library was open, and often the hours were not convenient for either the student or the parent who was needed to drive the student to and from the library branch. With the mass popularization of the Internet, much information has been available online for a number of years, but until recently, Pennsylvania residents still could not access the resources of the library system without a visit to the branch. Now, however, there is an online system that allows any Pennsylvanian with a valid library card to research information that previously could only be found by visiting the library in person.
The POWER (Pennsylvania Online World of Electronic Resources) Library, a recent initiative of Governor Tom Ridge's administration with the support of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, is offered as a service of Pennsylvania's public libraries, school libraries and the State Library. The POWER library allows users to access thousands of full text periodical articles, newspapers, a major encyclopedia, plus photographs, pictures, charts, maps, reference materials for young people and more. Users will find materials of interest in most subject areas for all age groups from young children to adults. This POWERLibrary.net web site is designed to provide general information about the databases available in the POWER Library. Pennsylvanians can access the POWER Library itself in their Pennsylvania public libraries, school libraries or from home through their public libraries’ web sites.
Elementary and secondary school students can find rich curriculum related resources. Business owners can find sales, marketing and management information to help them grow their businesses. Older adults can use the consumer health resources to make informed decisions about their health care and treatment. Lifelong learners can investigate areas of interest and pursue their hobbies.
The POWER Library system is actually a consortium of vendors offering information in a variety of contexts. The Big Chalk section is geared to help elementary and middle school students find information in magazines, newspapers, books, photos, and maps. SRS Discoverer is geared to older students and offers a variety of periodicals, a dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, and almanac. Articles are rated according to level of difficulty.
Through the "Access Pennsylvania" section of the site, users can search for information from college and specialty libraries and well as from public libraries in every county.
Users of all ages can start by clicking on http://www.powerlibrary.net from any computer, or by clicking on the "Access PA POWER Library" icon that is on the websites of many Pennsylvania schools. The system requires users to enter the numbers on the bar code of their library card to start accessing the system.
The cost to implement the POWER Library system was $1.75 million, but users will find that its usefulness will justify the cost in many minds. Many older adults have lived through times when state, county and municipal governments faced shortfalls in their budgets and were forced to shorten the hours that libraries were open, close branches, or postpone purchasing materials. This new program allows Pennsylvania residents of all ages to access library materials anytime, and from virtually anywhere. Homebound or disabled persons will also be able to find the information that they want.
Through the websites for their local branch, Pennsylvania residents can communicate with librarians though email, and many school districts and local branches have a telephone homework hotline for students. Of course, there is no substitute for the personal visit to a branch for those that enjoy the feeling of being in a place where many books and periodicals are available to hold and read in the old-fashioned way. However, for many time sensitive tasks, and for many busy Pennsylvanians of all ages, the POWER Library system offers the ability to complete assignments, access essential information of all kinds quickly and easily.
Click on http://www.powerlibrary.net to begin your search.
