Local History and Genealogy

The Grace Schmidt Room (GSR), located on the upper floor of Central Library, is home to a vast collection of local history and genealogy resources.

We welcome library visitors and researchers to use the local history collection. Due to the unique and special nature of the collection, no food or drink is permitted in the GSR. Items belonging to the GSR collection are available for in-library use only and cannot be borrowed.

History

Kitchener Public Library has long been aware of the importance of preserving the local history of Kitchener and Waterloo County. In partnership with the Waterloo Historical Society and the Waterloo Region Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, the library has developed a collection of books, newspapers and other materials documenting the area's history and families.

The Grace Schmidt Room opened on October 14, 1984. It is named in honour of Grace Schmidt, who was a librarian at Kitchener Public Library for 35 years and a long-time member of the Waterloo Historical Society. Ms. Schmidt was a well-known authority on the history of Waterloo County and was the driving force behind the development of the GSR collection.

Visit the Historically Speaking blog to learn more about the Grace Schmidt Room, its collections, and the local history of the Kitchener area.

Historically Speaking

Digital collections

Dive into the rich history of Kitchener and Waterloo Region and discover the people, places and stories from our past that shape our present! Explore our digital repository of photographs, directories, oral history recordings and more.

History in the Making

Scanning and conversion

The Grace Schmidt Room houses specialized scanning and conversion equipment, allowing library users to scan and digitize books, microfilm, photographs, slides and VHS recordings.

Learn more about scanning and conversion services

Reference and research services

We are able to conduct specialized research on an individual, event or organization upon request. Research requests must be limited to one event, person or organization. Reproduction, copyright, postage or fax charges will apply.

We are unable to undertake extensive family or genealogy research on your behalf.

Obituaries

For $10 plus HST, our staff will search up to five editions of the local newspaper for an obituary after the date of death, and provide a copy of the obituary by mail or fax. The fee includes search time, reproduction, copyright, taxes and postage or fax charges. The person requesting the obituary search must provide the date of death for the deceased. Payment by credit card is required in advance.

For all reference and research inquiries, please email gsr@kpl.org or call 519-743-0271 ext 212.