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Contact our Reference Staff

Contact our Reference Staff for Reference Questions
You can call the library during normal business hours at (515) 283.4152, ext. 3, and speak with one of our friendly, knowledgeable reference librarians. Or, if you prefer, submit your question using our handy online form.

Ask A Librarian online form »

Information for Non-Residents
Due to recent budget cuts, the Des Moines Public Library 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. 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, we offer a link to 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.

List of Researchers
http://www.iowahistory.org/library/patron_services/pro_research_list.html

Iowa Library Directory Online
http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/directories/print-directory