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Indiana Room

Background

  • The Gary Public Library began collecting local history items sometime between 1907-1922, when the library’s first director, Louis J. Bailey, was in charge.  These materials included books published during the early days of Gary and/or Northwest Indiana, maps, pamphlets, etc.  The Local History department (now the Indiana Room) was given a room of its own in the early 1940s.  Since then, the collection has continued to grow and now includes thousands of items.
Collection Materials
  • The Indiana Room collection includes books, maps, newspaper clippings, newspapers, magazines, newsletters, microfilm, blueprints, photographs, government documents, YEARBOOKS and various other items that pertain to Gary, Northwest Indiana, the state of Indiana as a whole, and the Chicago metropolitan area.
  • Gary Public Library Archives - Reading's Alive Newsletter Archives

Donations

  • The Indiana Room accepts donations to its collection including yearbooks and photographs which relate to Gary, N.W. Indiana, or the Chicago metropolitan area.  2019

 FREE Genealogy & History Databases:

  • African American Heritage   (only available at Gary Public Library locations)
    Search essential historical records for African Americans, including Federal Census, Marriage and Cohabitation Records, Military Draft and Service Records, Registers of Slaves and Free(d) Persons of Color, Freedman's Bank, and more.
  • Ancestry (only available at Gary Public Library locations)
    Family name information. Over a billion names in more than 4,600 unique databases.     GARY CITY DIRECTORIES Available Online through Ancestry!  1908, 1911, 1913, 1918, 1920, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1941, 1945, 1948, 1952, 1955,  1957, 1958, 1959, 1960.             
  • Indiana History Online provides a core of primary source documents for the study of Indiana history, packaged with an engaging user interface that provides students and researchers multiple ways of accessing the content. With state and regional histories, travel guides, biographies, speeches and more, the collection provides a range of primary documents.

Statement of purpose

The Indiana Room is comprised of local history materials in the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center. It serves as the archives and special collections room where patrons may conduct research as related to local history and genealogy.

The Indiana Room’s primary objectives include locating, preserving, and making available to researchers information on Gary, Lake County, the Calumet Region and surrounding counties and the state of Indiana. 

Registration

Patrons will be asked to fill out a Researcher Registration Form before using material. It will be kept on file and updated as needed.  A photo ID may be requested.

General Guidelines for Use of the Gary Public Library's Indiana Room

  1. Patrons may only bring the following items into the Indiana Room research space:  pencils, notepaper.  Lockers will be provided to store all other items including cell phones, coats, purses, brief cases, book bags, backpacks, etc. Gary Public Library is not responsible for items placed in lockers.
  2. All items are subject to examination upon entering or leaving the Indiana Room.
  3. All Indiana Room materials must be used in the research room and cannot be checked out for home use.
  4. Indiana Room is a closed stack collection. Use of materials require staff to bring materials to the patron after they are requested in writing using the Materials Request Form.
  5. No scanners of any kind are allowed.
  6. Children in 8th grade and under must be supervised at all times by parent/guardian and are not allowed to be alone at any time in the Indiana Room.
  7. Eating, gum, candy and drinking is strictly prohibited.
  8. Due to public use of specialized equipment, a quiet atmosphere for general study is not guaranteed.  Users of this room are asked to be respectful of other patrons.
  9. Use of personal cameras is restricted. Photographs taken must be for personal use only. Users are responsible for complying with copyright law. Indiana Room assumes no responsibility for the determination of copyright status or copyright infringement on the part of our patrons. Use of flash is prohibited. For security and privacy, staff, patrons, and the Indiana Room may not be photographed.

Security 

1. The Indiana Room is monitored 24/7 by surveillance cameras and closes 15 minutes before the library closes.

2. Computers and other research equipment will be shut-down 15 minutes before closing and no materials will be retrieved.

3. Those requiring access to the collection will be required to complete a Researcher Registration Form that will be kept on file in the Library. 

 

Computer Use 

Use of Library computers in the Indiana Room is restricted to local history and genealogy-related research. 

General computing activities such as word processing, web browsing, email, social networking or gaming are not permitted in the Indiana Room. Computers intended for general computing purposes are available on the first floor.  

Printing from all library computers is available for a small fee.  Wireless printing is available as well.
Personal laptops are permitted; however those using such devices are subject to following the rules outlined in the Gary Public Library’s Computer Usage / Wireless Internet Policy.

 

Finding / locating information

      Patrons are encouraged to begin their research prior to visiting the Indiana Room.  Staff will assist and aid patrons so that they may conduct their own research. Staff will also provide patrons with research assistance on the use and content of Indiana Room materials.

     To locate a collection, information or book, begin by searching the Indiana Room webpage and the library’s catalog. Finding Aids are included online or in the Indiana Room. Finding aids include an item listing of a collection’s contents and is available for some collections. Finding aids are updated as needed. 

 

Retrieval Procedure

Once you find the materials you’d like to view, fill out a Materials Request Form and provide it to the librarian.  All Indiana Room materials are closed stack and not available for browsing.  Use of materials requires staff to bring materials to the patron after they are requested using the request form.

Advance notice is required for use of some materials so they can be retrieved prior to your visit.

 

Handling of Materials

  1. Please leave materials on table when finished.
  2. For collections, only one box at a time will be provided. To maintain order, patron may only remove one folder at a time. Missing or mislabeled items should be brought to the staff’s attention.
  3. For materials in folders, only one folder at a time will be provided to ensure items remain in order.
  4. Two (2) books of any kind will only be provided at one time.
  5. Special handling of some materials including photographs or other fragile materials may require the use of cotton gloves, which will be provided.
  6. Handle and read materials only at the reading tables. Limit handling of items to one item at a time. Exercise all possible care to prevent damage to materials. When in doubt about proper handling of material, please consult the staff.
  7. Do not mark, take notes on or trace on top of material. All material must remain in plain view on the table; do not place items in your lap or hold them up. Nothing may be placed on materials.
  8. Manuscripts and other loose-leaf materials require special care. Please maintain their existing order and arrangement, and use placeholders provided by staff. Suspected irregularities in arrangement should be brought to the attention of the staff.
  9. Please use only the material(s) you have requested. If you would like to look at something else in the room, fill out a request form or ask the librarian.

 

Copying / Duplication

Patron must fill out a Duplication of Materials Request form before materials can be copied/duplicated. 

  1. Photo copying is performed by staff. Current fees for copies are 15 cents per copy. Copies must be paid for prior to receiving copies.
  2. Those making requests are responsible for conforming to copyright law. Copyright law limits Indiana Room to reproducing single copies that are to be used for educational, informational or cultural purposes.
  3. Indiana Room will only copy materials within the provisions of “fair use” provided in copyright laws of US.
  4. Depending on condition of materials, staff may not allow copying of certain materials.
  5. Material may not be immediately copied or provided depending on the situation.
  6. For duplication of photographs or other visual Images – see staff.

 

REFERENCE SERVICE / RESEARCH SERVICES FEES

For those unable to visit the Indiana Room in person, we provide genealogical and other research services. First two hours of research are free. A fee may be charged for each additional hour of research and scanning.

       Requests for information must be submitted in writing via email, fax or US Mail. Staff can only provide brief research to answer questions based on information received. Please be as specific as possible in your request. Limit – one specific request per letter. 

Requests are handled in the order received. All responses will be answered in the manner requested unless otherwise noted.

For US mail, please include your full name, mailing address and telephone number on all requests. Allow at least 3 - 5 weeks for a response. Additional fees may apply if the information is required in less than two weeks. Accepted forms of payment: check or money order made payable to Gary Public Library.

Address requests to:

Indiana Room Librarian     Gary Public Library and Cultural Center    220 W. 5th Avenue Gary, IN 46402       

Email: indigpl@garypubliclibrary.org