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Hi!  Our online reference service is designed to answer questions with brief, factual answers.  Once your question is received, it is our goal to respond as soon as possible. If you have a deadline, please call 283-4152 and press 3. Our hours are Monday-Friday 9-8, and Saturday 10-5. The Des Moines Public Library observes a strict confidentiality policy, however you should be aware that the Internet is NOT A SECURE means of communication. If you are not a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, please read the non-resident information below.

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For non-residents:

Due to recent budget cuts, the Public Library of Des Moines is unable to conduct research for anyone outside our geographic service area. Supplying answers that are not readily at hand, or that would require photocopying/faxing of material, is now beyond the scope of our reduced resources.

You can still access our Des Moines newspaper index through our catalog. When you have opened the catalog, click on the "News/Obit Index" tab. Once you have located an article or obituary you want, take the complete information (including page number) to your local library. They can obtain copies for you through the Interlibrary Loan system. Generally, there is a small fee for this.

Microfilm of the Des Moines newspapers can be borrowed from the State Historical Society of Iowa Library. Your local library can arrange this through the Interlibrary Loan network. There is a fee for borrowing microfilm.

If you are interested in paying a private researcher to work on your question, here is a link to a list of local researchers. The list is maintained by the State Historical Society of Iowa Library. Inclusion on the list is not meant as an endorsement. If you need to locate an Iowa Library, consult the directory maintained by the State Library of Iowa.