Research Library & Archives

Riley County Historical Society and Museum provides, collects and preserves books and other published material in the Fay N. and Dora Seaton Memorial Library.  Other print and digital documents pertaining to Riley County are maintained in the Taylor - Charlson Archives (J. Willett and Ellyn Taylor / Sam C. and Esther C. Charlson).

The research archives and library at the Riley County Historical Museum is available to any member of the public. Please note that access to the collection is by appointment only. Appointment hours are between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Special arrangements with the Curator of Archives/Library may be made for Saturday, Sunday, or other access times, if it is possible.

The non-circulating archive/library collection is comprised of Riley County materials such as maps, photos, family files, scrapbooks, diaries, yearbooks, business records, club records, school records, tax rolls, marriage records, court records, church records, minute books, ordinance books, and vertical file materials on topics associated with Riley County. Limited finding aids are available, so close consultation with the Curator of Archives/Library is essential. Great care is taken to safeguard the collection because many items contained in it are one-of-a-kind. The loss of any such item would diminish our collective cultural heritage.

Researchers are asked to sign, a written researcher-use policy. Please bring photo identification (such as a driver's license or student identification card) to your appointment.

The Riley County Historical Society and Museum deeply appreciates research into the history of Riley County. We gratefully accept donations of records and information that further our understanding of our history. For more information on donation of research material, please 
More information is available at: https://www.rileycountyks.gov/329/Archives-and-Historical-Research or by contacting the Curator of Archives/Library.

Researcher Use Policy

Library service is available by appointment. The Museum phone number is 785-565-6490. The Seaton Library collection is non-circulating.
 

RESEARCH ROOM RULES

No smoking, food, or beverages will be allowed in the library. Patrons will leave coats, handbags, briefcases, and notebooks in area of library designated. These items will remain in the researcher’s view; the Riley County Historical Museum will not be held responsible in the event of theft. Only a pencil and notepaper may be brought to the research table. The patron must sign this sheet and present a photo I.D. such as a driver’s license or a college I.D. before using library materials. Other identification may be accepted at the discretion of the librarian.

HANDLING THE COLLECTION

Hands must be clean. Only pencils may be used for note taking. Patrons will not lean on documents or book bindings. Fingers must not be licked nor corners bent to turn pages. Physical handling of materials will be kept to a minimum. The researcher will be apprised of the general range of the material available on his or her topic and afterwards may use one item (e.g. file folder) at a time, exchanging the item for another when patron is done with it. Gloves that are provided by the librarian must be worn to handle photographs.

PHOTOCOPYING POLICY

Charge is 25 cents per page, 8 ½" x 11" or 14". Charge is 50 cents per page 11" x 17". Patron assumes responsibility for obtaining permission to copy materials in excess of "fair use" sections of current copyright law. Some photographic images may be photocopied.

PHOTOGRAPH POLICY

Patrons will be asked to complete a photo request form. Patrons may use own camera for copy work. Arrangements may be made to have photographs digitized in print or CD form at the patron’s expense.

WEB USE POLICY

No text document or photograph may be placed on the Internet without written permission.

CITATIONS

All materials, including photographs, used in a paper, publications, or exhibit, must be credited "Courtesy of the Riley County Historical Society."

ACCESS

The Riley County Historical Society and Museum reserves the right to refuse the use of any material. The Museum may also at any time prohibit the further use of materials by a researcher for failure to comply with the above stated rules.