Library Research Services and Resources
The Bucks IU provides access to materials and programs that can help educators, administrators, parents, and students achieve their educational or professional goals.
Power Library
Power Library* is the online portal to all that Pennsylvania libraries offer. This is the place to find trustworthy answers to questions with 24/7 access to newspapers, magazines, journals, historical documents and photos, online databases, and eBooks. The Power Library portal allows you to chat with a librarian, find a wide range of e-resources, and even research job resources.
*Most of the Power Library site is open for browsing, but to use the online e-resources, you must have a library card issued by a library in Pennsylvania, or you can obtain an eCard that will allow you to access the POWER Library e-resources.
Power Kids
Power Kids*, a subset of the Power Library, is specifically designed, and formatted for children and students.
* Most of the Power Library site is open for browsing, but to use the online e-resources, you must have a library card issued by a library in Pennsylvania or you can obtain an eCard that will allow you to access the POWER Library e-resources.
Professional Library
The Bucks IU owns a unique and diverse collection of education related literature that is available for reference and research from undergraduate, graduate, professional, and administrative level personnel. The collection of approximately 1,500 books reflects a wide range of subjects that are of interest to educators at all levels of their professional development. Click here to access the Professional Library.
Access to the Professional Library is free to all Bucks County public school teachers and administrators, as well as our own Bucks IU staff. To request access, contact us here to request a patron account. All other education professionals may become a subscribing member to the Professional Library for a small annual fee of $25.00.
Interlibrary Loans
Should you wish to get materials from another library in the state of Pennsylvania, the Bucks IU participates in an interlibrary loan program.
Request a Book:
- Check the Bucks IU Professional Library Catalog for the title and edition you need (you may also check the Power Library/Access PA database)
- Contact us here to send us a book request - responses are normally within 2 business days
- Be sure to include the book edition, if applicable
- If you will need the book for more than 6 weeks, please designate the due date on the form (limit of 6 months)
- Your request will be submitted and reviewed by the owning library who will verify if the book can be supplied – if available, it will be received by the Bucks IU in 1-2 weeks
Pick-Up: Loan books may be picked up at the Bucks IU. Personnel of public schools in Bucks County can have the book sent to their building: however, they will need to allow for a few additional delivery days.
Returns: Books may be delivered or mailed to the Bucks IU. Public school personnel may also utilize the Bucks IU Courier service.