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Midwest Genealogy Center’s Genealogy Circulating Collection

Since 1992, Mid-Continent Public Library has published printed catalogs to the circulating collection entitled Genealogy from the Heartland: A Guide to Using the Collection. The original catalog was created in 1992 and supplements were added in 1994, 1996, and 1998. As books in the circulating collection can now be identified by searching the Library's online catalog, the printed catalogs have been discontinued. This guide will help users identify and borrow books from the collection.

All books in the circulating collection are available free of charge to researchers nationwide through interlibrary loan. Interested researchers should contact their local public libraries for further information on how to borrow these materials.

The Genealogy Circulating Collection began with a small collection of books donated to Mid-Continent Public Library by the American Family Records Association (AFRA). Mid-Continent Public Library agreed to circulate the books free of charge to researchers nationwide through interlibrary loan; AFRA agreed to actively solicit donations for the collection. From that small beginning, the collection has grown to approximately 23,000 genealogy and local history books.

Other collections have been added over the years -- the Missouri State Genealogical Association (MoSGA), the Heart of America Genealogical Society (HAGS), and the Gann Historical Society & Library, Inc. have added their libraries to our circulating collection and continue to add books that are donated to them. Appreciative users of the collection also donate books they no longer need or which no longer fit their research needs. Mid-Continent Public Library supports this genealogy circulating collection by purchasing additional copies of popular titles and by transferring duplicate copies of books from its reference genealogy collection.

The Genealogy Circulating Collection is housed in the Midwest Genealogy Center. Donations of new or gently-used books are always welcome and may be sent to the mailing address below. Please indicate that your donation is for the Genealogy Circulating Collection. Thank you very much for your support.

Genealogy Librarian
Midwest Genealogy Center
3440 S. Lee’s Summit Rd.
Independence, Missouri 64055
816.252.7228

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