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About the Library
The Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library is located on the second floor of the Polk County History Center and is one of the largest facilities of its type in the area. The library has more than 40,000 items in its collection, including books, microfilm and periodicals containing information about the history and genealogy of the Eastern United States. The selection of materials related specifically to the history of Polk County also includes newspapers, aerial photographs, maps, city directories, property tax rolls, cemetery records and more.
The Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library is a member of the Polk County Library Cooperative, a partnership between Polk’s municipally owned and operated public libraries and Polk County.
Take a closer look at the collection by visiting the Digital Collection and the Library Catalog.
What to Know Before Visiting the Library
We are a non-circulatory Polk County library, meaning visitors can utilize the books on the shelves, but they cannot be checked out and they cannot leave the building. Items in our special collections and/or archives can be accessed with the help of a staff member.
Visitors are required to check in at the desk on the second floor. A library card is not required. Visitors will have free access to our microfilm room, as well as the library edition of Ancestry.com while on-site. We are Polk County’s first FamilySearch Affiliate Library, allowing registered users access to over five million additional records. Patrons may use their own laptops and free wireless internet access is available. Use of personal USB drives is not permitted.
Food and drinks are not allowed in the library and cell phones should be placed on silent or vibrate. Use of tobacco products and consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the building.
Due to the unique nature of this collection, some items may not be available to copy or scan and will be left to the discretion of the staff.
Genealogy Speaker Series
Our Genealogy Speaker Series is a free, monthly program that takes place on the last Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. The series runs from January through October and each month features a different guest speaker who will present on a unique, genealogy-related topic.
The presenter will appear virtually. Guests are invited to participate via Zoom or in person at the History Center. Register to receive the Zoom details by emailing the History Center at [email protected].