Research Services

We are dedicated to helping Nebraskans directly connect with the resources in our collection. Although we do offer a public search portal for our collections, it is limited in scope and does not contain everything we have to offer. Those looking to do research using our collections are encouraged to contact our reference staff via email or by mail to Library/Archives, History Nebraska, 1500 R Street, Lincoln, NE, 68501.

Those wishing to do their research in our Reference Room can come in during our open hours every Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, or may request an appointment by emailing us at hn.reference@nebraska.gov.

• We answer written queries in the order in which they are received.
• Depending on the volume of requests we have received, there may be a delay until we are able to respond. 
• Once we receive your request, we will let you know within five business days how long we anticipate the research will take.
• At that point, you might decide that you would prefer to have a private researcher-for-hire assist you.
  • See a list of possible researchers-for-hire.
• Additionally, most newspapers and some manuscript collections, government records, and county atlases, all on microfilm, are available via interlibrary loan. We will advise you of that possibility when research requests can't be responded to quickly. Information about our interlibrary loan policies/procedures can be found at Interlibrary Loan procedures.

For additional information about any of the services we provide, please contact our reference staff.