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History Research Center FAQs

To help you plan your visit, Mercer County Public Library has provided answers to many commonly asked questions below. If you need more information, please feel free to contact the History Research Center at 859-734-3680 ext. 124 or history@mcplib.info.

Does the HRC have the same operating hours as the main library?

No, the HRC is open 10am – 4pm Monday through Friday, and 10am – 4pm on the third Saturday of every month.

Can I pay HRC staff to do research for me?

No, our small staff is unable to complete in-depth research via email or phone. However, they are always on hand to assist in-person researchers.

How far back in time does your collection cover?

The HRC’s physical collection consists of items from the18th through 20th century which the oldest items dating to 1826 and the newest to the present year. However, our books and online databases contain information from centuries before that.

Can I donate records to the HRC and what kind of items are acceptable?

Yes, the HRC does accept records, books, and photographs that help tell the story of Mercer County and the surrounding area. Occasionally, other items manufactured in or with a direct connection to Mercer County are accepted as space permits.

Does the HRC hold special events related to local history and genealogy?

Yes, from March through October each year, the HRC hosts author talks, genealogy classes, living history presentations and more. Watch the library’s event calendar for details about upcoming events.

Is there a cost to use the HRC?

No, as part of the Mercer County Public Library, the HRC is free and open to the public. Visitors are welcome to view, transcribe and photograph any part of the collection with their personal device. Use of any equipment in the HRC besides the copier is also free. Copies made on the HRC copier cost 10 cents, thumb drives can be purchased for $3.00, and CDs or CD-ROMs for $1.00.

Does the HRC circulate (check out) books or documents in its collection?

No, items in the HRC collection are non-circulating and can only be viewed in-house or, if scanned, via the library’s online archive.

Can I reproduce images or video from your collection?

While visitors are welcome to copy or photograph items in the HRC collection under the fair use doctrine, the HRC cannot verify who holds the rights to items in the collection. It is the responsibility of the researcher to verify this information and to obtain any necessary permissions before republishing an item.

How do I cite items found in your collection in a book/article/website I plan to publish?

When citing books from the HRC for professional publications, patrons are advised to consult the standard bibliographic for their discipline – usually MLA for English and Chicago Manual of Style for History. When citing manuscript or unpublished materials, each box list will provide the preferred citation styling.

Can you appraise my document/item?

No, HRC staff cannot verify the authenticity or appraise the value of a document or item.