Pittsburgh libraries question ...

[zbdent]

May be considering a return to my old stomping grounds of Western PA for a bit ... was wondering if anybody would answer a question about some of the libraries in the area of the city of Pittsburgh (my memory is from 1988 ... things change).

Any branches in the near vicinity of Pittsburgh (the city itself) which are good with the back issues? I mean, like microfilm readers and such?

My memory from the Carnegie main branch is limited at best, and didn't spend much time looking for the other branches, or other systems in the Pgh area.

Thank you.

[babydollhead]

1. The main library in Oakland is fully functional

any of the other branches of The Carnegie Library will be very helpful. COME HOME!!!

[femmocrat]

2. The library at Pitt was highly recommended when I was in grad school.

I never had to use it though. I did a lot of microfilm research at Seton Hill. Depends on what kind of research you are doing.

[zbdent]

3. mainly wanting to look over old issues of newspapers ...

thank you for the info!

[JPZenger]

4. Try electronic databases first

Before you spend a day in a dusty microfilm room, I'd check electronic databases first.

PA. provides a few electronic databases to library users across the state. You typically log in through your home library or use it inside a library on their web computers.

Also, some newspapers provide access to their archives for a fee per article. Typically, the search is free and provides a few sentences at the beginning of the article for free.

If you know someone with a commercial database subscription (such as LexisNexus) who is willing to look up a few things for you, that also may save you a great amount of time.

[mk2guy7355]

5. ^agreed

[JPZenger]

6. State Library in Harrisburg may have newspapers

As of a few years ago, the State Library in Harrisburg had newspapers from many parts of PA, including paper and microfilm copies.