Conducting Research
We encourage the public to conduct research at the Crawford County Historical Society either in person, by mail, or by an online request.
There is a $5 admission for each day for a non-member to use the facility; however, archive admission for members is free. Becoming a member is easy and we offer several plan levels, most of which pay for themselves through member discounts and other perks.
The nature of the material is unique and freely granted to all patrons; however, appropriate care must be exercised to ensure that future generations of researchers will have access to these materials. It is the responsibility of the patron to assist the Archive in the preservation of the archival materials.
For those looking to make an on-site visit, our location and hours of operation can be found on the Information page. For questions, please refer to our Contact Us page.
Please take a moment to review our policies and research-related fees, prior to scheduling a visit or processing a research request.
Research Guidelines
In an effort to protect archival materials and assist anyone who is interested in our local history, the Historical Society Board of Directors has approved the following guidelines:
- We ask all visitors to sign in at the front desk each time they come into the archive.
- The archive’s special collections areas and business offices are closed to the public.
- While we are happy to share the information contained in the Society with you upon your visit (or via research request), materials cannot be borrowed and removed for any purpose from the building.
- You are welcome to bring your laptop and research notes with you! We do ask that you take any notes in pencil only (we are happy to provide one) so if any accidental marks end up on materials, they can be easily erased.
- We are happy to supply notepaper for those who need it. While this is rarely needed, we do reserve the right to examine all notepaper and equipment when patrons are exiting the Society.
- Eating, drinking, use of cell phones, and smoking are not permitted in the archive. If you brought lunch for a full day or research or any beverages, we are happy to have you leave them at the front desk.
- Our staff is happy to pull items from manuscript collections if you need them, however, we pull one manuscript folder or one archival box at a time. Subsequent materials will be provided when you have returned the initially requested items to the reference desk. This just cuts down on confusion on where materials need to be returned.
- Materials must be handled with great care. They must not be marked, cut, torn, folded, soiled, re-arranged, or in any way damaged. Unopened pages in books should be shown to staff at the reference desk. Do not attempt to open them yourself. Materials must rest on the table at all times.
- Patrons are requested to stop work 5 to 10 minutes before closing time in order for materials to be checked-in and re-shelved. All materials must be returned to staff.
- Individuals or organizations completing more extensive research should attempt to call or notify us in advance to allow time to gather the materials needed. Those not making an appointment for larger requests may be asked to return at a later date when all materials are gathered.
Fees For Research and Copies
Photocopies, material use, and research services are provided through the archive for a nominal fee used to support the resources necessary to provide such services uninterrupted to the community at large.
Current Research and Archival Services Fee Schedule
Daily Archive Admission |
|
|---|---|
| Member | $0 |
| Non-Member | $5 |
Paper or digital copies (per page) |
|
|---|---|
| Member | $.25 |
| Non-Member | $.25 |
Staff Look Up- Obituary, Wills, Birth, Marriage or photo (includes paper or digital copy) |
|
|---|---|
| Member | $5 |
| Non-Member | $10 |
Hourly rate for research services (includes up to 10 paper copies) |
|
|---|---|
| Member | $15/hour |
| Non-Member | $25/hour |
Image use fees for book or periodical illustration, videos or films, other publications; office, restaurant, or commercial display |
|
|---|---|
| Member | $100 fee plus $10 per photo (includes Corporate Members) |
| Non-Member | $100 fee plus $15 per photo |
Additional image use fees for images used in digital products (CDs, DVDs, ebooks, and any Web site use) |
|
|---|---|
| Member | $100 fee plus $10 per photo (includes Corporate Members) |
| Non-Member | $100 fee plus $15 per photo |
Additional image use fees for book covers, dust jackets, CD/DVD covers; any packaging or wrappers |
|
|---|---|
| Member | $100 fee plus $10 per photo |
| Non-Member | $100 fee plus $15 per photo |
Additional image use fees for photographic prints or digitized images for advertising, marketing, or promotional purposes |
|
|---|---|
| Member | $100 fee plus $10 per photo |
| Non-Member | $100 fee plus $15 per photo |
Copyrights and Disclaimer
The copyright act of 1976 provides protection for all writing from the dates of their creation whether or not they are formally copyrighted.
Generally, the term of copyright is the life of the author plus fifty years, but the law also extends copyright protection until December 31, 2002, to all unpublished works not protected under common law. Persons wishing to quote from materials in special collections should consult staff members. The Crawford County Historical Society does hold the copyright to some of its manuscript collections and may have information about others. It is very important that researchers obtain permission to reproduce materials, as penalties for violation of copyright statutes are severe. The Society is not liable for copyright infringement of its patrons
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The nature of the material is unique and freely granted to all patrons; however, appropriate care must be exercised to ensure that future generations of researchers will have access to these materials. It is the responsibility of the patron to assist the Archive in the preservation of the archival materials.
Research Request Form
