The cost of electronic resources is high, and wait times for our patrons for the most popular titles are long. Given that, priority must be given to the residents of our district, whose taxes help pay for library service through their local municipalities.

• Digital items cost far more than their physical counterparts. New bestselling eBooks can cost between $45-65 per item, and digital audiobooks can cost between $45-120 per item, meaning that we are able to purchase far fewer digital copies of popular items than we can in print.
• The high cost leads to long wait times that are frustrating for readers; given these factors, we are limiting access to these high-cost electronic collections to those who live or learn within our district.
• This change will prioritize service to the taxpaying residents of our area.
• Four statewide resource libraries receive special funding to provide service to the entire state (Free Library of Philadelphia, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, State Library in Harrisburg and Penn State University Libraries - all campuses). Residents who want to access additional resources, both in print and digital, should contact these libraries, or visit their websites, to learn how to get a library card, and what materials may be accessed.
• POWER Library databases, available to all Pennsylvania residents, also contain several resources with eBooks and digital audiobooks.
• Anyone with a Schlow/Centre County Library & Historical Museum is welcome to borrow physical items from our library!

Because of the high cost of digital items, the library cannot afford to serve all residents of Pennsylvania, or residents who live outside of the state. Priority must be given to the taxpaying residents of Centre County. Access to Hoopla and Kanopy are only for Schlow patrons who live in Centre County. 

Unfortunately, we are prohibited by the state Office of Commonwealth Libraries from charging fees or accepting donations specifically in exchange for core library services, including access to books and interlibrary loan. However, four libraries in the state are specially charged with serving the entire population of Pennsylvania - the Free Library of Philadelphia, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, State Library in Harrisburg and Penn State University Libraries. Requirements for getting a library card may vary, so interested patrons should contact these libraries, or visit their websites, for more information about getting a library card. Additionally, all residents of Pennsylvania have access to the POWER Library databases, which include several eBook resources, through their local libraries.

While the ease of borrowing eBooks and downloadable audio titles makes the service seem effortless, libraries pay a high cost for these items. Our libraries pay a $7,000 annual fee just to have access to the service. New bestselling titles often cost an additional $45-65 per copy, and many can only be purchased for a two year period before they must be purchased again. Given the popularity of these items, and the fact that the libraries can purchase far fewer digital copies for our collection dollars, priority must be given to residents who live or learn within Centre County. For additional electronic resources, residents can get a library card from the Free Library of Philadelphia or Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

Wait lists for the most popular items are only increasing, so even a few patrons placing holds and checking out a few items a year has an exponential effect in increasing wait times. Priority must be given to the residents of our County - and anyone looking for additional electronic materials can look to one of the statewide resource centers (particularly, the Free Library of Philadelphia and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, as well as Power Library).

Yes and no - our Overdrive collection is shared across Centre, Clearfield, Mifflin and Juniata Counties, so your access to Overdrive will not be impacted. (Interlibrary loan use, however, is directed to your home library, based on your physical mailing address). However, access to Hoopla and Kanopy is only available to patrons of Schlow Centre Region Library who live or learn in Centre County.

The high cost of electronic resources means that much as we might wish otherwise, we cannot afford to serve all residents of Pennsylvania, or those from outside of the state. Priority must be given to serving those who live or learn in Centre County, as their taxes directly support library services. Patrons are additionally encouraged to contact their home library to express their interest in particular electronic resources. 

Only those who live or learn in Centre County are eligible to access the library’s electronic resources. Classroom teachers outside of Centre County can look to the Free Library of Philadelphia, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, or the ebooks and databases of POWER Library for access to items provided without charge to all Pennsylvania residents.

Having the Access PA statewide library card sticker on your card does mean that you can get a library card here at Schlow/Centre County Library & Historical Museum. However, the guidelines provided by the state Office of Commonwealth Libraries note that libraries are not required to offer their electronic resources to those outside of their service area. Due to the high cost of these items, electronic resources are only available to those in Centre County.