Osterhout Free Library
Genealogy Policy for
June 1, 2011 – September 1, 2011
Starting June 1, 2011, the Osterhout Free Library will temporarily halt all fee based
genealogical research requests, this includes any obituary and article searches completed
using the newspapers on microfilm. Starting September 1, 2011 genealogical research
requests can be submitted as usual based on our research policy, as explained on the
library website and below:
Research Policy: Library staff can search for obituaries in our archived local newspapers
only when provided with an exact date of death: month, date, and year. Articles can also
be researched when provided with the exact month, date, and year the article appeared in
the paper. Requests will be completed in the order they are received, whether by e-mail,
mail, or phone. We can allocate a maximum of one hour of research time per request.
There is a minimum fee of $5.00 per obituary or article request which covers copies and
other library costs. Prepayment is required for all requests. The library cannot refund
money if the requested information is not found. Checks can be made payable to the
Osterhout Free Library.
During this time, if you would like to know about genealogical resources or material
available at the Osterhout Free Library, the hours the library is open, or have any
questions, you can check the Osterhout Free Library website by using the link provided:
http://www.osterhout.lib.pa.us/ or call the Information Services Department at
570-821-1959.
The microfilm machines can be used during regular library hours and library staff at the
Information Services Desk will gladly assist you if you have any questions when using
the machines.
If in accordance to our research policy, obituary or article requests are received during
June 1, 2011 through August 31st, 2011, and if correct payment is provided, library staff
will place requests in the order they are received, whether by e-mail, mail, or phone.
However, there is no guarantee the request(s) will be completed prior to September 1,
2011. Then, starting September 1, 2011 each request received during the above time
frame will be completed in the order received by library staff at that time starting
September 1, 2011.
For further information or if you require immediate research, you may want to contact the
Luzerne County Historical Society regarding their research policy and fees; at 49 South
Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701, 570-823-6244, http://luzernehistory.org/ .
Thank you! Information Services Department, Osterhout Free Library