Philcat is the new web-based catalog and requesting system, designed specifically for archives and special collections libraries.
With this system, patrons will be able to:
Patrons will have online access to their accounts and will be able to make requests either on site or remotely from anywhere with internet access.
The upgraded featuers use the product Aeon by Atlas Systems, a special collections circulation and workflow management system that has been adopted by many libraries and archives for over a decade.
Your username and password allows us to give you secure access to information about your requests. You can also manage the personal and contact information provided when registering.
You only need to register once. Once a year, Philcat will prompt you to verify your profile information and 'renew' your account. Your requests will remain in your account indefinitely.
Your email address is your username, so if it changes, please contact staff to update your account at research@pem.org
Contact the reference department at research@pem.org with any questions or problems.
The technology that we use sends a Session ID to be stored on your machine. You can refuse this cookie and still be able to use Philcat without any problems.
Searching for materials in the Phillips Library has not changed. You can find items in our catalog and explore manuscript collections through finding aids. Philcat is then used to save items you are interested in, request items for viewing, or request duplication of items.
For tips and guidelines on searching the catalog and finding aids, see our Catalog Search Strategies and Finding Aids Search Strategies.
In your account, under the Requests tab, select Request History to see items you've previously requested to view or have had reproduced.
Philcat is set to time out after 10 minutes of inactivity. Timeouts are necessary due to simultaneous user limits that must be in place in order to assure an acceptable level of system performance.
There are several ways to request an item. One is through the catalog or finding aids.
As you find relevant materials, you will see a Request button. By clicking this button and logging into your Philcat account, you can create a request for this item. The item fields will be filled out automatically, and at the bottom of the request, you will have the option to make an appointment to view the physical item or save the request. If you save the request, it will not be sent to library staff. For manuscript materials, please fill out one request per folder as found in the finding aid.
You can also manually create a request by filling out a New Request form in your Philcat account.
On arrival to the Collection Center, you will check in with a guard. They will check a photo ID and have you sign in. Lockers are available for coats, purses, food, or drink, which are not allowed in the reading room. You will enter the reading room and check in with a librarian. If you have made an appointment through Philcat, your materials will be ready for you to begin research. If you have not made an appointment, a librarian will direct you to a kiosk to request materials.
In your account, under the Requests tab, select Saved Requests. Here you will see all requests that you have saved but not submitted to library staff. You can then select any requests you wish to submit and schedule an appointment.
You do not need an appointment to visit the reading room on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays. However, if you want materials ready for your arrival, you will have to schedule a day to view the item.
You do need an appointment to visit the reading room on Mondays and Fridays. See full hours and visiting information here.
Once on site, you can request items from the reading room kiosks. You can then track the status of your request through Philcat.
If you need to change your appointment date, please email research@pem.org.
Yes! In your account, under the Requests tab, select Request History. Select the item you would like to view again and click Clone Request, which will create a new request for the item.
The Phillips Library reading room is located at 306 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, MA 01969.
The library does not keep a list of researchers-for-hire. Reference staff are happy to help distance researchers gather information, but have limited time to perform research. Distance researchers are recommended to keep their requests specific and concise, mentioning particular resources they wish librarians to look at. Email research@pem.org for more information.
You can order reproductions of materials (scans or photocopies) through Philcat. Similarly to requesting to view an item, you can order a reproduction by using the Request button in the catalog, and then choosing the Switch to Reproduction Form, or by filling out a reproduction request form in your Philcat account, under New Reproduction Order. You can track the status of your order through Philcat.
Some items cannot be reproduced for reasons such as condition, size, or other restrictions. A librarian will email you if there is an issue with your order.
For high-resolution publication scans, please check the For Publication box on the form.