Alumni

Got questions? The Alumni Library has answers

Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Being a member of the Penn State Alumni Association won’t make you omniscient … but when you tap into the vast resources of the Alumni Library, it may seem pretty close.

Many useful resources in the Alumni Library, a partnership between University Libraries and the Alumni Association, are available to all visitors, whether or not they are members of the association.

Since 2006, the library has offered Alumni Association members online access to 25 premium databases, nearly 100 digitized collections, and thousands of additional resources full of more scholarly and well-researched information than Internet search engines typically return.

Most of these premium databases normally require a fee or aren’t available to the public, but Alumni Association members can access them simply by logging in with their last name and Alumni Association membership number. (Association members can find their membership number in the footer of their most recent AlumnInsider email.)

Premium resources available to members of the Alumni Association include:

Adam Matthew Digital Penn State Portal
This collection of primary sources from archives around the world covers topics in the humanities and social sciences, including cultural studies, ethnic studies, gender and sexuality, history, literature, politics, theatre, war and conflict, and more. 

US Newsstream (formerly ProQuest National Newspapers)
Search the full text of current content from top U.S. newspapers, wire services, broadcast transcripts, blogs and news sites, as well as archives dating to the 1980s. Outlets include The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, Newsday and Chicago Tribune, among many other national and regional sources. 

ProQuest ABI
Get a complete picture of international business trends with this collection featuring thousands of full-text journals, dissertations, working papers, key business and economics periodicals such as The Economist and Sloan Management Review, country- and industry-focused reports, and major news sources like The Wall Street Journal.

CQ Press Library
The definitive reference resource for research in American government, politics, history, public policy and current affairs, CQ Press Library includes subject-specific reference databases on Congress, the Supreme Court, Public Affairs, and Voting and Elections, as well as US Political Stats, an interactive tool for data on U.S. politics. It also offers online editions reference, including the CQ Press Encyclopedia of American Government.

Mergent Intellect
Powerful search functionality makes this directory database an invaluable tool, with information about more than 100 million private U.S., Canadian and global businesses; more than 6,000 U.S. public companies; and over 200 million residents and local businesses.

Morningstar Investment Research Center
Get independent data and analysis on stocks, mutual funds and exchange-traded products, and filter investment options based on specific criteria. You can also increase your knowledge with more than 100 virtual educational courses on topics like understanding companies, funds, bonds and building a portfolio.

Ebsco's Academic Search
This comprehensive scholarly, multidisciplinary full-text database contains more than 5,300 full-text periodicals, including 4,400 peer-reviewed journals, as well as indexing and abstracts for more than 9,300 journals and a total of 10,900 publications going back as far as 1865.

In addition to these and many other premium databases, the Alumni Library also provides a variety of digitized University collections, including La Vie and Daily Collegian archives, as well as collections of authoritative and useful resources on topics including genealogy, health, legal matters, science and technology, and more — all vetted by Penn State librarians.

Best of all, if the array of resources available through the Alumni Library seems overwhelming, the “Ask A Librarian” tab located on the right-hand side of the screen connects you via online chat with highly skilled librarians who can help you locate information you’re looking for.

The Penn State Alumni Association connects alumni to the University and to each other; provides valuable benefits to members; and supports the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. More information about the Alumni Association is available at alumni.psu.edu.

Last Updated April 20, 2020

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