The MSU Libraries provide a core collection of books about genealogical research. The university collection does not include the specialized books, indexes and microforms required for comprehensive genealogical investigations. This guide describes some available tools, and suggests ways to find additional resources.
The MAGIC online library catalog at http://magic.msu.edu/ now includes records for books at the Library of Michigan as well as in the Michigan State University Libraries. Many works on genealogy will have a "LIB OF MICH GENE 2S" Location. Those books are available for non-circulating use in the state government's Library of Michigan, located at 702 West Kalamazoo Street, west of the state capitol building in downtown Lansing. To contact the Library of Michigan, call (517) 373-1580 or consult the web page at http://www.michigan.gov/hal/. The Abrams Foundation Historical Collection offers a wide range of printed, microfilmed and electronic resources for family history research.
Another prominent Midwestern resource is the Genealogy Collection of the Allen County Public Library, in a temporary location as of August 2004 at 200 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne IN 46801. For more information see the ACPL Web site at at http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/index.html or telephone (260) 421-1200 or 421-1225.
Newer editions of some well-known guides to genealogy, including genealogy research on the Internet, are found in the Main Library Reference area (1-East). Reference titles cannot leave the building. Available books include:
Similar titles in the Main Library stacks can be checked out with a borrowers' card. It is possible to search the MSU Libraries' online catalog at http://magic.msu.edu/: useful "Keyword" search entries include "genealogy united states" and "genealogy handbooks".
Through the Michigan Electronic Library (MeL), the MSU Libraries can offer access to:
A great deal of genealogical material can be found on the World Wide Web. Please note that Selected Resources PCs in Main Library Reference provide access only to selected Web sites, not all of the Internet. Users may wish to explore sites like these on other PCs:
The Main Library is located on West Circle Drive, on the MSU campus south of Grand River Avenue in East Lansing. The Library has two entrances, one on West Circle Drive and one on the south side of the building facing the football stadium.
Public parking for a fee is available in the lot at the north end of Spartan Stadium, south of the Library. From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, parking spaces near the Library along the Circle Drive are reserved for vehicles with faculty/staff parking permits. A few metered spaces can be found in front of the MSU Museum, across the street from the Library, and a small number of handicapped parking spaces are next to the library. A map showing parking options is available on the Web at http://www.msu.edu/dig/msumap/. Additional parking is available in nearby downtown East Lansing.
During the semester, many areas of the Main Library are open continuously from 10 a.m. on Sunday through midnight on Friday night. On Saturdays, the building is open from 10 a.m. to midnight. Hours vary during breaks, in the summer and around holidays: visitors should call (517) 353-8700 or (800) 500-1554 or check the library Web page at http://www.lib.msu.edu/ for current hours.
Michigan residents 18 and older are eligible for community library cards, and may check out books for two weeks. A Michigan driver's license should be presented at Circulation, located in the main lobby. MSU identification cards also serve as library cards. Some materials cannot be checked out: photocopiers are available in the Main Library. See http://www.lib.msu.edu/services/policies.htm.
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
East Lansing, Michigan 48824
MSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution