Philly Research.Net

Welcome to the preview version of PhillyResearch.net, a gateway to research resources for, by, about, and from the greater Philadelphia area developed by the Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL). PACSCL is exploring ways to allow researchers to search all materials in its member libraries with a one-click access. Right now, researchers can use a combination of these five search tools.

Search tips and hints

	The PACSCL union catalog One-click searching of the special collections portions of 20 member libraries, with more being added. Powered by Z39.50 -- the same search technology used by LibraryThing. Best for: searches for rare books, manuscripts, and archival material when general library resources are not desired. Limitations: Keyword searching not available; searches are slow. Tip: For faster searches, select a subset of libraries. (Another tip: not all special collections materials in these libraries have been cataloged.)
Custom Search	Google unified search of the websites of PACSCL and its member libraries. Best for: an overview of libraries' collection strengths and links to digital collections, online exhibitions, and more. Limitations: Google does not search library catalogs. It also does not search all resources such as databases of digital images.
Search for an item in libraries near you: Enter title, subject or author WorldCat.org >>	WorldCat from OCLC Union catalog of thousands of libraries worldwide. Explore the search results to identify any area libraries holding the materials you would like to use, displayed according to those closest to you. Best for: Casting a broad net among area libraries, including public libraries.. Limitation: Results may be too general for researchers looking for rare or unique materials.
	PACSCL member library catalogs Best for: Advanced searches of an individual library's collections. Limitation: Each library must be searched individually. Tips: Use the topic selector to find the most relevant catalogs. Remember that some library materials may not yet be cataloged online. Card catalog photo courtesy The American Philosophical Society
	PACSCL's database of unprocessed or underprocessed manuscript collections Best for: finding hidden collections that have not yet been fully processed. Limitation: the survey is a work in progress; not all collections have been surveyed. Collections may not yet be available to researchers.

Other resources of interest to researchers in the Greater Philadelphia area:

• Pennsylvania Digital Library: Online collections from Pennsylvania libraries, including many in the Philadelphia. Just launched, with new collections being added all the time.
• PhillyHistory.org: The City of Philadelphia's growing, searchable database of historical images.
• National History Day/Philly: Everything young history researchers need to enter this exciting program
• Tips for Using a Research Library: Developed by PACSCL for the National History Day/Philly program.
• Philadelphia Architects and Buildings Project and The Philadelphia GeoHistory Network, based at The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, also searchable via the PACSCL Google Search
• Philly.com - Philadelphia portal including online editions of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News
• Gophila.com - Philadelphia's tourism portal, including a comprehensive online events calendar
• Philaculture.org -- The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Coming soon:

• Links to other collecting institutions (museums and historic sites) available to researchers
• Registry of other online resources in PACSCL member libraries such as digital collections, online exhibitions, and more

We welcome feedback at this early stage. To comment on this site and its resources, click here to take survey