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​​Library Collections

The State Library's collections reflect its basic mission to provide 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.​

Search Our Resources
Check the catalog to see if the State Library has books on a subject or owns a specific title.

Digital Collections
The State Library continues to develop its collection of digitized materials as well as subscriptions to electronic resources helpful to the government researcher.

POWER Library
These electronic resources are free to all Pennsylvanians.​

More Collections

The State Library has been building its collections since B​enjamin Franklin selected its first set of books in 1745. Current collection development reflect its basic mission to provide research service to the Commonwealth government but its long history of collection in the broad subject areas of interest to state government has resulted in a collection which 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. Detailed information about the various parts of the collection can be found under Resources.