Burlington
Public Library210 Court Street · Burlington, IA 52601 · 319-753-1647
Directions | Hours | Contact Us | About Us | BPL Home Page
Burlington
Public Library
210 Court
Street · Burlington, IA 52601
· 319-753-1647
Directions | Hours
| Contact
Us | About
Us | BPL
Home Page
The purpose of the local history and genealogy collection is to preserve source material on the history of Burlington and Des Moines County and provide basic research material for area genealogists. The library will make these materials available on a restricted basis to patrons and hold the materials in trust for future generations. The Materials Selection and Gifts policies also apply to this special collection.
The major emphasis of the collection is on the City of Burlington and Des Moines County. Local history and genealogy materials for these areas are collected on a comprehensive basis, but do not include objects better suited for museum collections. The genealogy materials, which include record indexes and abstracts, histories, census microfilms, and other sources useful to family historians, are also collected on a more limited basis for counties adjacent to Des Moines County. Genealogy materials on other areas of Iowa, other states, and other countries are collected as they pertain to areas where large groups of people who settled in Burlington originated. These materials are collected on a limited basis. Family histories are acquired as gifts and purchased only when they have a significant connection to Burlington and Des Moines County. Circulating copies of genealogy how-to guides are provided to assist researchers.
The local history collection also includes selected published works by Burlington and Des Moines County authors. The authors must have lived in Burlington or Des Moines County for over two years to have their works included.
The extent of duplication of copies of historical sources is based upon demand; but, in general, the library will archive no more than two copies of significant local history materials. The library does not generally discard materials in this collection unless an item does not fit the criteria set for the scope of the collection.
Since many of the items are in fragile condition and some are one-of-a-kind, the local history and genealogy materials are used in the library and may not be checked out. Attempts will be made to preserve these materials through careful storage, handling, and reproduction to insure access for future generations.
Revised and re-adopted: June 17, 2009
Re-adopted: September 20, 2006
Revised and re-adopted: December 15, 2004