Search for automotive help or look up your family lineage, we have a collection of helpful databases to search for the answers you need. Some sites require a library login or can only be accessed at your local library.
Need more? Visit the Reading Public Library - District Center for additional database resources. Don't forget to ask your librarian if you need assistance accessing any of these databases.
Ancestry.com: Library Edition
Genealogy database offering hundreds of resources on researching one’s family history, including such items as federal census records, passenger ship manifests, and other documents. Available for in-library use only. After nearly 2 years of temporary access, Ancestry has made the difficult decision to end remote (at home) access for Ancestry Library Edition at the end of 2021.
Helpful Charts & Forms
- Ancestral Chart — records the ancestors from whom you directly descend--those for whom you intend to compile a complete and correct family unit.
- Family Group Sheet — each piece of information concerning a pedigree ancestor and his/her family is placed on a worksheet.
- Research Calendar — gives an account of every record source you have searched and serves as a reminder of what you have already done and where you have found pertinent information.
- Research Extract — to summarize information which cannot be photocopied, for which there is no document in your possession, or for things such as deeds which may be time-consuming or difficult to reread quickly
Genealogy | History | Records | Images
AP Newsroom*
View the greatest events in world history with photographs, audio sound bites, video, and graphics, for over 185 years. Over 3,000 photos/images/sound bites/graphics added daily, including audio and visual snapshots. POWER Library E-Resource – Sponsored by Commonwealth Libraries.
Biography & History | Newspapers, Magazines & Journals | Images | POWER Library
Auto Repair Source*
Discover the most accurate, authoritative and up-to-date service and repair information for thousands of domestic and imported vehicles. All content comes from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and includes step-by-step repair information, diagrams, maintenance schedules, parts and labor estimates, service bulletins and recalls. POWER Library E-Resource – Sponsored by Commonwealth Libraries.
Auto Repair | POWER Library
Black Freedom Struggle*
Primary source documents related to critical people and events in African American history, and contains approximately 1,600 documents focused on six different phases of Black Freedom. POWER Library E-Resource – Sponsored by Commonwealth Libraries.
Education | POWER Library
Bookflix*
Watch videos and read books about Animals and Nature, Earth and Sky, People and Places, ABC’s and 1, 2, 3’s, Family and Community, Music and Rhyme, Adventure, and more. Enjoy read aloud with words highlighting and interactive games. Some films and books are available in Spanish too! POWER Library E-Resource – Sponsored by Commonwealth Libraries.
eBooks | Education | Children | POWER Library
Books & Authors*
Discover fiction and non-fiction books that match your interests! Books and Authors (powered by Gale's popular What Do I Read Next? series) is for readers from every level of reading proficiency and enables users to explore the endless possibilities and combinations of books, authors, genres and topics from more than 240,000 titles. POWER Library E-Resource – Sponsored by Commonwealth Libraries.
Book Search | Adults | Teens | POWER Library
Chat with a Librarian (formerly Ask Here PA)*
A free resource to all residents of Pennsylvania, offering live chat reference with a real librarian, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Speak with a real librarian for help on any topic or information need. POWER Library E-Resource – Sponsored by Commonwealth Libraries.
Education | POWER Library
Driving Tests - Pennsylvania
These practice tests are good for the Pennsylvania permit test, driver’s license test, and the senior citizens’ refresher test.
Education
Elementary*
Elementary students in kindergarten through grade five will find age-appropriate content covering a broad range of educational topics such as animals, arts, geography, health, literature, people, social studies, technology, etc. Content is continuously updated and provides interesting and important facts with connections to current and past events. POWER Library E-Resource – Sponsored by Commonwealth Libraries.
Education | Children | POWER Library
Health & Wellness Resource Center*
Discover reliable health information through access to full-text articles of nursing and allied health journals, pamphlets, newsletters, periodicals, newspapers, encyclopedias, and more. POWER Library E-Resource – Sponsored by Commonwealth Libraries.
Health & Fitness | Medical | POWER Library
Pennsylvania Job Resources*
Discover job resources for Pennsylvania job seekers and employers. These Pennsylvania government provided resources are designed to help you find a good career, review job openings, and match you with employers. POWER Library E-Resource – Sponsored by Commonwealth Libraries.
Jobs & Job Seekers | Careers | Adults | POWER Library
POWER Kids*
This easy-to-use, graphically appealing search interface was designed especially for grades K - 8, helping these kids search on a broad range of subjects in a professionally selected collection of age-appropriate magazine & newspaper articles. Watch a video on how to get started with POWER Kids. POWER Library E-Resource – Sponsored by Commonwealth Libraries.
Education | Children | POWER Library
POWER Library*
POWER Library is the online portal to all that Pennsylvania libraries offer. This is the place to find trustworthy answers to questions about healthcare, consumer purchases, personal finances, and much more. Enjoy 24/7 access to newspapers, magazines, journals, historical documents and photos, online databases, and eBooks. Research a subject. Learn about your family history. Locate a title. Explore career options. The new home of Access PA—borrow titles from libraries across Pennsylvania. Watch a video on how to get started with POWER Library.
Education | Adults | Teens | Children | POWER Library
POWER Teens*
Provides online resources including full-text research e-resources, collections of photographs and documents, the statewide catalog of materials held in libraries throughout Pennsylvania, and Chat with a Librarian. Watch a video on how to get started with POWER Teens. POWER Library E-Resource – Sponsored by Commonwealth Libraries.
Education | Teens | POWER Library
Reading Eagle Archives
Through Google’s Archives, you can view many scanned issues of the Reading Eagle from 1868 through 2008.
News & Articles | Local | History | Images
Small Engine Repair*
Find detailed repair guides for all types of small engines. Offers assistance in providing routine maintenance (tune-ups, brake service) as well as extensive repairs such as engine and transmission disassembly. Search by product type, brand, model/engine type, specific area of model/engine type and model numbers. POWER Library E-Resource – Sponsored by Commonwealth Libraries.
Auto Repair | POWER Library
TrueFLIX*
Learn about people, places, nature, history, and science from videos and eBooks on topics such as American Indians, Ancient Civilizations, Farm to Table, The Civil War, Continents, The Thirteen Colonies, U.S. Government, Disasters, Earth Science, Experiments, Extreme Science, Nature, and many more. POWER Library E-Resource – Sponsored by Commonwealth Libraries.
Education | Children | POWER Library
Value Line
The uncontested authority in reliable, unbiased investment research and data. It offers financial measures for over 6,000 stocks, 18,000 mutual funds, 200,000 options, and other securities. Also included are expert analysis, insightful commentaries, and a sophisticated performance ranks and ratings system. Remote access to Valueline is a two step process. You must first authenticate with your barcode and PIN, and then log in to Valueline.
Personal Finance & Investing | Adults
* denotes POWER Library resource.
This project is made possible in part by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and through Library Access Funds administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Governor.