FAQs - Getting Started

The Access Pennsylvania and POWER Library programs are underwritten with Pennsylvania Department of Education and Federal grant funding. These funds provide the resources (staff, networks, hardware, and software) to offer these services free-of-charge to Pennsylvania taxpayers.

PDE, through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, contracts with HSLC for basic services that comprise the Access PA/POWER Library programs.

HSLC charges an annual technology support fee to provide enhanced support, training, and custom programming for participating libraries. Technology support fees also underwrite capital expenses for new hardware, and other unbudgeted expenses in support of the Access PA/POWER Library program.

The technology support fee is based on library type for schools and by collection size for public libraries.  All special collection libraries pay the same fee. 

Annual fee rates:

Public Libraries
Collections of up to 10,000 titles = $250.00
Collections of more than 10,000 titles = $325.00

Schools     
Elementary School library = $250.00/building
Middle or High School library = $325.00/building

Special Collection Libraries = $325.00

Statewide contracts for the POWER Library resources are paid by the Pennsylvania Department of Education/Office of Commonwealth Libraries.  In turn, your school or library benefits by not having to purchase these databases from local funds – which amounts to a significant savings for your institution.  Learn what your school or library saves by participating in POWER Library:

• School Libraries [PDF]
• Public Libraries  [PDF]

In addition, Access PA / POWER Library participation gives your library:

1. The ability to have direct IP-authenticated access to the POWER Library e-resources for when users need to access resources inside your building, as well as library card access when they need to access them remotely.
2. The ability to get statistics covering all POWER Library e-resource usage for your users.
3. The ability to get free training through POWER Library’s Fall Training Tour, which is presented throughout the state as well as virtually.
4. The ability to participate in the Access PA interlibrary loan program to lend and borrow books, if you wish to do so. (This also includes the ability to download/export MARC records.)
5. The ability to add digital collections in our digital repository, PA Photos and Documents, if you wish to do so.
6. The ability to obtain technical support on all POWER Library services Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.