Huntington City - Township Public Library (Huntington, Indiana)
ContentsContact InformationEmail: inrm@hctpl.info 255 W. Park Dr., Huntington, Indiana 46750 Description of CollectionsThe B. Joan Keefer Genealogy and Local History Center is a large gem in a small community. The collection contains a vast range of material related to Huntington, its early settlers, and the areas from where Huntington’s original citizens came.[1] It also contains a significant amount of printed and typescript material for surrounding counties. A fair amount of information from elsewhere in Indiana, the U.S., and Europe, can also be accessed. A large local obituary card index begins in 1921 and continues to be updated weekly. Over 60 shelves and 80 file drawers of contributed &/or staff-researched family files and another 20 of local topic files provide access to local families, businesses, locations, and events. After microfilming for use at the courthouse, original copies of will and marriage ledger books are placed on file in the collection. Other courthouse documents, including a few tax records, have been archived here. Collections of family papers and local organizational archives are also available in the collection. Microfilm of the various Huntington County papers is available from the beginning (1848) up to the recent past. Digital access to the majority of Huntington County papers prior to 1930 is provided by Newspapers.com. ServicesThree full-time staff members, including one librarian and two experienced assistants, make sure assistance is available whenever the library is open. They provide research assistance and individual training sessions whenever they are asked. E-mail, postal mail, and telephone requests are accepted. Copy charges and reimbursement for postage is expected if copies are returned via postal mail. There is no charge for electronic copies. HistoryThe Keefer Center was founded in 1975 as the Indiana Room by one librarian working part-time with a volunteer in a space not much bigger than a closet. While it has grown significantly from those humble beginnings, its philosophy of believing the (hi)story of every person matters has not. The Indiana Room was renamed the B. Joan Keefer Genealogy and Local History Center on 2 Nov 2019 in honor of that first volunteer, who became the long-time room director. Tips for Your VisitOur address is West Park Drive, and we do have a parking lot off of that street that connects via a very short (15 feet) foot path to the main lot. The main lot and building entrance is off of the intersecting street of Poplar. Start here where parking is free, the collection is easily browseable, and the knowledgeable staff has time to sit down with you to help. After exhausting our resources, travel up U.S. 24 one-half hour and continue your research in the collections of the Allen County Public Library. Guides | |
