Grace Schmidt Room of Local History

 

Welcome to the Grace Schmidt Room (GSR) of Local History, located on the upper floor of the Main Branch of Kitchener Public Library.

 

The GSR is a reference collection of local history and genealogy resources housed at the Kitchener Public Library.  Our collection includes reference and archival materials and is available for in-library use only.  Due to the unique and special nature of our holdings, no food or drink is permitted in the GSR.

 

Please browse the menus on the right-hand side of the page to explore our collections and services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

History

 

The Kitchener Public Library has long been aware of the importance of preserving the local history of Kitchener and Waterloo County. The Library has, in partnership with the Waterloo Historical Society (WHS) and the Waterloo Region Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS), developed a collection of books, newspapers and other source materials which document the area's history and families.

Photograph of Grace Schmidt

 

The Kitchener Public Library opened the Grace Schmidt Room of Local History on October 14, 1984.  It is named in honour of Grace Schmidt, a librarian at the KPL for 35 years and a long time member of the Waterloo Historical Society. 

 

Miss Schmidt is a well-known authority on the history of Waterloo County and was the driving force behind the development of the GSR collection.

 

 

 

Hours of Operation

 

The GSR is open during library hours.  Please note, however, that archival materials and photographs are not available on Sundays when the Library is open.

 

 

 

Contact

 

Karen Ball-Pyatt, Local History Librarian
Grace Schmidt Room of Local History
Kitchener Public Library
85 Queen Street North
Kitchener, ON  N2H 2H1
Tel: 519-743-0271, ext. 252

Email: karen.ball-pyatt@kpl.org