Since 2014, the Free Library’s new Regional Operations Center (ROC) has been open—open to staff, not the public. And while requesting most books from this offsite location is no different than placing a hold on any library item, it works a little differently for Government Publications.

For material whose location is listed in the online catalog as “Government Publications Department – Limited Availability,” you must visit us in person, or call us at 215-686-5330 to consult with a librarian about the material’s accessibility. In some cases, the material may be viewed electronically, or held onsite at Parkway Central in the closed reference stacks—and it will be available on demand. However, if the item in question is located at the Regional Operations Center, you can make your request directly to the librarian to have it retrieved.

Once we have the title and call number of the material you are requesting, as well as your contact information (phone number and/or email address), one of our staff will make the trip to the remote storage facility to retrieve it. You will be contacted when your material is available for use in the Social Science and History Department. Retrieval from ROC is completed as soon as possible.

To learn if the government documents you seek need to be retrieved from ROC, and to make a request for retrieval, please visit the Social Science and History Department at Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, or give us a call at 215-686-5330.