Library Grant Will Provide Easier Access to History, Genealogy Documents

Thanks to a new grant, Jefferson County Library’s Northwest Branch will now have a new digital microform reader and accompanying computer.

The grant was made available through funds from the Library Services and Technology Act appropriated by Congress and administered by the Institution of Museum and Library Services and the Missouri Secretary of State, according to a press release from the library. The grant of $7,831 will pay 75 percent of the total cost; Friends of the Library – Northwest Branch will cover the remaining costs, according to the release. 

The Northwest Branch Library’s local history and genealogy department includes many materials on microfilm and microfiche, such as historical Jefferson County newspapers and nineteenth century St. Louis City and County Directories. The new digital microform reader will allow researchers to view these materials and make digital copies for themselves.

The machine is expected to be available in April.