The Reference Department of the Pottsville Free Public
Library serves all of Schuylkill County and part of Northumberland County.
Our primary purpose is to help our patrons find what they are looking for,
whether the answer is on a computer or in a book.
Services of the Reference Department include:
-- answer in-person, telephone,
mail and e-mail requests for information
and assistance;
-- create pathfinders for commonly-requested subjects,
like job searches, online practice tests, and science fair projects;
-- do basic genealogy research and copying for
people outside the county, and help people use the resources in the Library (see below
for more information);
-- and provide basic assistance with computers in
the Library.
What's in the Reference Department?
There are nine public computers, available to
anyone with a valid Pottsville Library card.
These computers have Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer. Books are available in the Circulating Collection
to help people use the programs on the computer .
Books, books and more books! From general
almanacs and encyclopedias, to car and antiques price guides, to the laws
of the United States and Pennsylvania, the Reference Collection has over 5,000 titles and
almost 12,000 volumes. Find specific titles or subjects by using
the "Library Catalog"
page. We also have a small collection of CD-ROMs
which can be used on the public computers, including every issue of National
Geographic Magazine from 1888 through 1996. Reference materials
are available during all Library hours.
The Pottsville
Library was designated a Federal depository library
in 1967, and we continue to provide access to both United States and Pennsylvania
agency publications in print and online. We receive approximately 12% of the materials made available through the Federal depository program.
The Reference Librarians organize and help people find and use these publications.
See the Government
Information or Government
Publications pages for links to some of the most frequently used government
and legal web sites. You can also check our Catalog
to find some of the government publications in our collection.
Genealogy is a hot topic, and the Reference
Department has many materials for people doing research on their Schuylkill
County ancestors. See our "Genealogy
and local history materials" page for a detailed list of what's in
our collection and what services we provide. Materials are in book
or microfilm format. We have 4 microform machines which can read
and print microfiche and microfilm reels. These machines are on a first-come, first-serve
basis with a one-hour time limit if other people need to use the machines.
No library card is needed for the microform machines.
A pamphlet file, annual reports,
telephone books, and a magazine collection of over 200 titles can also be found in the Reference Department.
Magazine indexes are available in print and online -- use our "POWER
Library" page to use the EBSCO magazine indexes from your home computer
(you will need your library card to access this database).
Tax season never seems very far away. The Reference Department
orders tax forms for state and federal income taxes,
and provides year-round access to reproducible forms, instructions and
publications.
Have a question for us? E-mail us at potref@pottsvillelibrary.org,
call us at 570-622-8880, or write to us at Pottsville Free Public Library,
Attn: Reference Dept., 215 W. Market St., Pottsville, PA 17901.
Have a question for us that you need answered right
away? Try using the Ask
Here PA virtual reference service. Please note
this service is for Pennsylvania residents only.
Better yet, come in to the Pottsville Free Public Library
to see the Reference Department yourself. We are on the first
floor of the Library, to the right of the Circulation Desk when you enter
the building. The Department occupies most of the original wing of
the Library. Reading areas are available in the front
and back parts of the room.
The Pottsville
Library was designated a Federal depository library
in 1967, and we continue to provide access to both United States and Pennsylvania
agency publications in print and online. We receive approximately 12% of the materials made available through the Federal depository program.
The Reference Librarians organize and help people find and use these publications.
See the Government
Information or Government
Publications pages for links to some of the most frequently used government
and legal web sites. You can also check our Catalog
to find some of the government publications in our collection.
Send comments
to: potref@iu29.org