Dear National History Day Participant:

Thanks for your interest in our member libraries and archives and their rare or unique materials relating to the history and culture of our city, our region, our nation, and the world. We can help you to engage with history through the use of primary sources, visual material, and access to experts on your topic.

Plan a visit to one or more of the libraries — our member librarians and archivists want you to visit and want to help you make your project the best it can be. So don’t be afraid to call and email to set up a research appointment. 

Our libraries hold more than 4,000,000 rare books, 260,000 linear feet of manuscripts and archival materials (that would make a stack of paper more than 45 miles high!), and 9,000,000 photographs, maps, architectural drawings, and works of art on paper. Many PACSCL libraries have rare or unique audio and video recordings as well.

Download our TEACHER RESOURCES handout (Adobe Acrobat file)

Materials in PACSCL member collections can help you add an important dimension to your project, deepen your understanding of your topic, and sharpen your competitive edge.  From the members page you can reach the websites of our member libraries, learn about their resources, their hours of operation, and other important material. You can also explore the finding aids (guides to collections of manuscripts, photographs, and other archival material) at the finding aids database link.  Take a look at our resources page, too, for other great research tools.

All three of these links are on the main menu at the top of the page.

Coming soon: custom search engine for the websites of all PACSCL member libraries

• The NHD/Philly homepage.
• NHD in PA homepage
• The NHD National homepage

Member Library National History Day Guides:

• Historical Society of Pennsylvania (teacher resources)
• Presbyterian Historical Society 
• Science History Institute