Reference & Research Assistance
Library staff are available to help you find the answers you need in person, online, or by calling (319) 291-4476.
Local History
Located on the second floor of the library, our Local History & Genealogy Room features:
- A microfilm reader with file saving, emailing, and printing capabilities
- Microfilm copies of the Waterloo Courier (1859-present), Waterloo Times-Tribune (1901-1922), Waterloo City Directories (1873-1991), and more
- A computer for genealogy research*
- Local & historical articles, books, Waterloo City Directories (1950-present) and more
*Patrons who wish to conduct research on the computer or use the microfilm computer must present their library card.
Genealogy Databases
Ancestry.com
Discover your family history and start your family tree.
This database may only be accessed inside the library.
Enslaved
Fold3
Access US military records including stories, photos, and personal documents.
Heritage Quest
Discover digital, searchable images of U.S. federal census records with the digitized version of the popular UMI® Genealogy and Local History book collection.
HeritageHub
Provides comprehensive coverage of obituaries and death notices from 1704 through today.
Newspaper Archive
Search newspaper archives for Obituary, Birth Records, Death Records. Courier records available from 1859-1964.
