The Harold Weary Genealogy Room
The genealogy and local history collection of the Mount Prospect Public Library offers many resources for researching family and local history. Below is a brief description of the kinds of materials that are available.
Finding Aids
Most genealogy materials are listed in the Library’s catalog. Those items in the genealogy room have “GS” in front of the call number. The collection also includes newsletters and periodicals which are not in the catalog. The titles of these periodicals are listed alphabetically on cards in a beige plastic box on a shelf above filing cabinets in the northeast corner of the room.
Books
Along the north and north east walls of the room are the circulating books. Included are general and more specialized guides and resources. These materials may be checked out. At the end of the circulating books is a small, separate collection of circulating and reference books related to Illinois. In the south end of the room along the east and south walls and in the southwest corner are the Reference books. These are marked “GS/R” and may only be used in the library.
Periodicals
A variety of genealogy periodicals are shelved in maroon boxes along the west wall. They are arranged using a special numbering system. The index cards in the plastic beige box indicate which number is associated with each periodical title. A listing of all the genealogy periodicals is available in a binder on the same shelf as the beige box and at the Research Services Desk.
Microfilm
Microform cabinets are located in the north half of the genealogy room. These house the genealogy microfilm collection, as well as microfilm of these newspapers: Daily Herald, Mount Prospect Journal, Mount Prospect Times, and Prospect Day. The microfilm collection includes Chicago City directories and census records. There is a digital microfilm reader connected to the public computer in the southeast corner of the room. To use this reader please first go to the Research Services Desk. Library staff will guide you in the use of the microform reader.
Local History File
In the cabinets along the south wall under the reference shelves are files related to various aspects of the history of Mount Prospect and the surrounding area. In the southeast corner under the last reference shelving range are cabinets housing the Oral History collection. These cabinets are kept locked. Check with the Research Services Desk staff to obtain access to these files.
Computer Access
The Library has subscriptions to many databases including Ancestry Library Edition, Fold3, Heritage Quest, and MyHeritage that are accessible at any public Internet computer in the Library. Genealogy patrons may sign up to use the computer in the southeast corner of the genealogy room by entering their library card and PIN at the computer or can request a guest pass at the Research Services Desk.
Please ask at the Research Services Desk for assistance with any of the resources in this room. Happy researching!
