Reference Department

At the Warren Library Reference Department, you can access thousands of reputable print reference resources in our physical space and a wide range of electronic resources anywhere you have the internet and your library card. Our Reference Department is state-of-the-art and we’re constantly updating our collection to address all of your reference needs.

Staff and Contact

Reference Department services are available during regular library hours.

Have a request? Email, call (814) 723-4650 (follow prompts for Reference), or write us (205 Market St., Warren, PA 16365).

Services

  • Questions and requests for information answered in person, by phone, email or Facebook message. We will mail materials and include a note requesting you consider a donation to cover postage and printing costs.
  • Arrange a library tour, orientation or other special research assistance
  • Broad collection of current newspapers, books, maps, directories, indexes, electronic resources, and the PA Power Library
  • U.S. and Pennsylvania government documents Depository
  • Educational/Professional: Information about employment, careers, and colleges and universities nationwide, as well as current financial aid information including scholarships, fellowships, grants and loans.
  • Robertson Sheet Music Collection: Original scores from Broadway musicals from 1895-1956
  • Pennsylvania Room Collection: Histories of most Pennsylvania counties, regimental histories, photographs, yearbooks and extensive collections on the development of the lumber, railroad and petroleum industries, with a heavy emphasis on Pennsylvania
  • Genealogy: Major collection of local historical materials including microfilm of local newspapers dating from 1824 and U.S. census information from 1790 to 1930. Our Genealogy Handbook is available electronically both online and onsite as well as in print.
  • Tax Forms: Federal, Pennsylvania, and Local Income Tax forms (when available while supplies last)

Equipment Available

  • Manual Microfilm reader with printer ($0.25/page)
  • Digital Microfilm reader prints to main floor printers ($0.15/page)
  • Scanner to scan and save or email documents
  • Laptops
  • Headphones available
  • Variety of older format media readers (3.5″ disk, zip disk, CD-ROM, and various media card ports to read those files)

Chat With a Librarian

PA’s 24/7 virtual reference service – Chat with a Librarian – where experienced librarians help Pennsylvanians find factual answers and provide them with research guidance. Librarians use information available in the POWER Library’s databases and other online resources to find the most accurate answers available. Click the icon below to begin a new chat!

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