The State Historical Society of Iowa Research Center in Des Moines lets your local library borrow microfilm of newspapers, census records, maps, and Civil War lists. Other items like books and magazines can only be found at the Research Centers.
How to Make a Request
- Identify the microfilm reels you would like to borrow.
- Determine if the Research Center in Des Moines holds the microfilm.
- Contact your local library, request they submit an interlibrary loan request on your behalf. The local librarian will need to include the microfilm description and holding facility information.
- Our staff will be in contact with your local library to complete the loan process.
Interlibrary Loan
State Historical Society of Iowa
600 E Locust St.
Des Moines, IA 50319-0290
(515) 281-6200
Collections Available
Newspapers
You may request newspapers on microfilm from Des Moines.
When requesting the loan, specify the publication title, city and dates needed (if the dates requested cover more than two reels, the first two reels will be sent). If the publication is unknown, you may request a film for one city and date range.
The Research Center can send one or two reels of newspapers on microfilm at a time. The charge is $6.00 per transaction, regardless of whether one or two reels are sent.
For specific information on available newspapers, consult with a librarian at either Research Center or search the online catalog.