FamilySearch Wiki:WikiProject Pennsylvania/Tasks-Repositories Public Libraries

WikiProject Pennsylvania Progress Chart  Wiki Project Pennsylvania Tasks - Repositories: Public Libraries

Task Description
This task uses different websites to help locate information about public libraries in the county that have genealogical information in their collections or a genealogy room. For example, an online obituary index, or genealogy/local history room located in the public library.

Instructions
Please cite at least one source for each item you add. See Albany County for examples. See also


 * FamilySearch Wiki:Verifiable policy page
 * Help:How to add citations instruction page
 * FamilySearch Wiki:Source Citation Formats guidelines, and WikiProject NY Framework #3

NOTE: Only list a public library if the website states it has genealogical sources. Do not list all public libraries.

1. To determine the public libaries in the county, search the following webistes:


 * http://www.powerlibrary.net/
 * http://pa.public-libraries.org/library/county/Pennsylvania.html

NOTE: Libraries listed under a county may actually be in an adjoining county. You may locate the URL or other information about these libraries through www.publiclibraries.com.


 * You can also use the PAGenWeb county page.

2. Once you locate the website for the public library (if it exists), add the following:


 * Name of the public library. If the library has a website, add the link to the name of the library. See the example below. If there is no website link, bold the name of the library.
 * Address
 * Phone number
 * Any collections that are helpful for genealogy (obituary indexes, newspapers, cemetery records, genealogical websites, etc.)
 * If they have a local history or genealogy room.
 * You can also call the public library to clarify their holdings.

3. If your county has a library system which includes all the public libraries in that area, you can link to the system website instead of listing the individual libraries and their contact information. The following is an example:


 * Butler County Federated Library Systemconsists of 9 public libraries in Butler County. Each library has access to genealogical databases - especially newspaper sites. Many are accessible with your library card from home. A list of the libraries in this system and their website and contact information is found here.

4. If there are many libraries in the county, you may choose to just add the library in the county seat and any other libraries with a genealogy room or signficant genealogical collections.

Example
The Reading Public Libraryis located at 100 South Fifth Street in Reading. Free parking is available in the rear of the library for library patrons. Microfilm copiers are avaiable and full runs of the Reading Eagle and the Reading Times are open to the public. Located on the second floor of the library is the Pennsylvania Room. It contains local histories and genealogies associated with Berks County. City directories and high school yearbooks are also located in the Pennsylvania Room.