The Open Library... command (in menu File) brings a new library into Electric from disk. These libraries may have the extension ".elib" or ".jelib" (the jelib format is newer).

You can also use the open-library icon from the tool bar.
Figure 3.23

By default Electric searches for libraries in the working directory, absolute file path references, and Electric's LIB directory. Users can specify additional directories to search for Libraries using a file called "LIBDIRS" placed in the working directory. This file specifies additional paths to search for library files. The file has the following syntax:

* <comments>
include <another_LIBDIRS_file>
<library_directory>

Paths may be absolute or relative.

Besides Electric libraries, it is possible to read circuit descriptions that are in other formats with these commands in the File / Import menu: