History Behind our Historical Collection
In the year 2016 an important new partnership was forged between the Lebanon-Laclede County Library and the Laclede County Historical Society. Our local historical society had struggled to operate effectively for many years, occupying two different historic structures - the old Laclede County Jail and the Ploger-Moneymaker House. In the long run, both locations presented what turned out to be insurmountably high operational and maintenance costs. Faced with the prospect of losing our valuable local history collection to repositories outside Laclede County, the Library graciously offered LCHS and its collections a new, permanent home. Relocation was quickly carried-out, and planning for preservation and/or exhibition of the material continues today.
The Lebanon-Laclede County Library also has a large collection of genealogy and historical books in our Missouri room for research and viewing purposes. Please take note that these books are not available to check out and take home. These books should stay in the Missouri room at all times.
The mission of Lebanon-Laclede County Library is to inform, educate, inspire, and entertain. History can achieve all of those in one way or another and we hope to help you discover that through our collection.
If you have questions regarding genealogy or research please fill out the form below.
Archives we have available to view in Missouri room
(some must be requested/unlocked by staff)
- Lebanon High School Yearbooks
-Bittersweet Magazines
-Microfilm collection (Newspapers, Census records, other collections)
-You can also use Missouri Evergreen to see more books we have available in the Missouri Room.
Archives that must be requested to be scanned and sent as a digital copy
-Probate files
-Marriage/obituary entries (if they are available)
-Photos
Have A Research Question?
If you have a research question regarding Laclede County history, Route 66 or genealogy please look at how to complete a research request below.
-Please keep in mind that our staff members have other duties to do and research is typically done when we have time to do so. Simple requests are answered as soon as possible but in depth questions are only done as time allows. Please be specific with your request in the email so that we are able to determine how long the topic will take to research and allow ourselves enough time.
-If you need anything printed or mailed you will need to pay for printing and mailing costs.
-This is a free service to our community and those who are searching for family information. However, if you do feel inclined to make a donation for our time and preserve our collection please consider making a donation to the Lebanon-Laclede County Library .
Please email the following questions filled out completely to adorris@lebanon-laclede.lib.mo.us
*Your name
*What kind of research (Genealogy, Local History, Route 66, Missouri/Ozarks, Other)
*Your Question in detail
By sending an email you agree to all of the above guidelines and acknowledge that my research will be done when staff is available to do so and that I am responsible for any fees that are needed to complete my research request.