Services

Reference and Research

Reference - Librarians are always available in the Grosvenor Room to answer questions and assist patrons. Email and telephone reference service is available through the AskUs service.

Research
The Grosvenor Room provides limited staff-performed research services for a fee, including:

Census Records - if a print index is available.
City/Telephone Directory Lookups - The Library has a complete set of Buffalo city directories as well as a large collection for other locations.
Death Notices/Obituaries - if the exact death date is known.

To request these services contact the library through AskUs Click here to view the fee schedule.

Other research services may be available for readily indexed resources. The following are examples of the types of look-ups that can and cannot be provided.

Research services that may be provided:

Church Records - when the church and exact date are known, and there is an index or logical order to the records.
Microfilmed Records - such as birth, death, or marriage records if there is an index for them and an exact date is known.
Newspaper look-ups - when the exact date of an event is known.

Research services not provided:

Comprehensive Research - Examples: "Please send me a copy of everything you have on the Jones family from Buffalo" or "My family came to Buffalo from Poland in the 1800s. Could you tell me what ship they arrived on?"

New York State Vital Records Index - The Library has a copy of the NYS Vital Records Index. However, New York State regulations do not allow Library staff to search the records for others (remotely or locally).

Newspaper lookups - for a large quantity of material or when a specific date is not known. Example: high school sports records for a specific month or year; obituaries when the month and year are known, but not the specific death date

For patrons needing extensive research assistance, a list of researchers is found in the following link. Please note that the researchers are not affiliated with the Library, and most do charge for their services: http://www.buffalolib.org/libraries/collections/research-referrals.asp

Reproduction

Photocopying
Copy Machines - Two public copiers are available for use. One of the copiers can print in color. Fees are as follows (and subject to change):

Microfilm Machines - There are eight reader/printers in the department. Printing is in black and white at a cost of 20 cents per 8.5 x 11 page.

Photographic and Digital Reproduction
Photographic and digital reproduction of any Library materials requires Library permission. Please complete the appropriate form below in order to obtain permission:

1. If you intend to publish, display, and/or profit by images of Library materials - Authorization Request for Reproduction/Licensing of Library Materials for Publication(Profit or Not-for-Profit) form.

2. If you do not intend to publish, display and/or profit by the images of Library materials, but intend to use it for personal use - Authorization Request for Reproduction/Licensing of Library Materials for Non-Publishing/Non-Profit Purposes form

In either case, please see the fee schedule for applicable charges.

Rare Book Room Reproduction Guidelines
Because of the nature of the rare book collection, separate policies pertain to it. Patrons are subject to the Grosvenor Room reproduction policies as well as the following additions. Reproduction of Rare Book Room materials is at the discretion of the Rare Book Librarian. Condition of materials may prohibit reproduction. All photocopying is undertaken by Library staff and is done as time permits. As photocopies may not be available on demand, every attempt will be made to fill orders quickly.