On March 13, 2020, we put all services at the Kiplinger Research Library on hold to ensure the safety of our staff and volunteers. Almost one year later, we are excited to announce the resumption of remote reference services starting March 10, 2021.
Remote reference services are those that we can provide under continuing pandemic restrictions. They are:
Answers to simple reference questions at no charge
In-depth research services for a fee
Digital reproduction services: photos and document reproductions for a fee
We look forward to the eventual re-opening of all of the in-person services we offered before the shutdown of 2020. As always, your on-site use of the Kiplinger Research Library by appointment for in-depth research will be free of charge.
With the help of our new research services librarian, and our intrepid team of reference volunteers, we are answering email inquiries as quickly as possible. In fact, as we’ve prepared to reopen, we have responded to most of the approximately 150 remote queries we received while on hiatus. There still is a queue of reference inquiries, so our diligent team will respond to yours in the order in which it is received. Your patience is appreciated!
Please address reference and digital reproduction requests to library@dchistory.org. We discourage phone requests, those via social media, or other email addresses. While you are free to leave a message, our team responds to emails in the library inbox first.
Remote Library Services
Chat with a librarian – Write to library@dchistory.org with details about your subject to find out how to start your research, specifics on materials in our collections, or how to search in our online catalog.
Quick Reference Services – We define quick reference as providing a historic date, street address, or basic details found in one of our collections using our maps, broadsides, city directories, real estate atlases and other “ready reference” materials. Email your question to library@dchistory.org, providing as many specifics as possible, including our collection file names. We can provide up to 5 smartphone photographs of resources for reference use only.
In-depth Remote Research Services (Fees Apply) – Designed for research questions that require extensive consultation in our collection, in-depth remote research is offered at an hourly rate, with a one-hour minimum. A staff member will research your questions in the manuscript, photograph, printed materials, ephemera, and vertical files collections identified by you. Included in this service are up to 10 smartphone photographs of resources, for reference use only.
Digital Reproduction and Permission to Publish Requests (Some Fees Apply)- The Kiplinger Research Library provides and licenses digital reproductions of collection materials. Since researchers are unable at this time to photocopy or photograph collection materials in our reading room, we are offering new reference scan options.