Carnegie Library for Local History General Information

Hours and Parking  
See the location page.  Please note, street parking is limited.  Nearby options include a public parking lot at 11th and Spruce St., and the Spruce Parking Garage at 11th St. and Spruce St.

Class or Group Visits 
A minimum of two weeks in advance of the date you would like to visit, please email [email protected] . Staff will contact you to confirm availability. Drop-in class or group visits cannot be accommodated due to space limitations of the facility.  

Local History Resources for Educators are available online and are intended to introduce students to primary source materials including photographs, newspaper articles, diary entries, oral histories, maps, and documents. These collections align with Boulder Valley School District K-5 social studies units and may be freely used for educational purposes.


Research Services / Appointments  
The archive is open by appointment and simple research requests may be completed by email or online.   

Simple Research Requests 

To submit a simple research request such as requesting a copy of an obituary, or to inquire about additional service options, please contact us at [email protected]  

Download Digital Photos 

  • Search the catalog for the photo of interest in the online catalog via basic or advanced search.  
  • Click the “download image” option located directly above the photo viewer.  
  • High resolution files of photographs may be ordered. For details, please see Photo Requests.

Make an Appointment 

  • Search the Catalog and make a list of materials or topics you would like to research.  
  • Schedule an appointment online.  
  • Read the Guidelines for Handling Archival Materials and Reading Room Guidelines.  

Guidelines for Handling Archival Materials 

Please help us preserve the condition of the archival materials by observing the following guidelines when using materials: 

  • Ask for staff assistance if you are at all uncertain about how to safely handle archival materials. 
  • Some collections have use restrictions. Please ask a staff member before copying or taking photographs. 
  • Always use both hands, carefully and deliberately, when holding materials. 
  • Materials should be handled one item at a time. Look at materials in each folder or envelope separately to prevent disorganizing materials.  
  • Only pencils to write or computers to take personal notes are permitted.  Writing implements such as ink pens or markers that might leave a permanent mark on archival materials are not permitted. 
  • Materials must be viewed flat on a reading room tabletop. Do not allow materials to hang over the edge of the table. 
  • Make sure your hands are clean and thoroughly dry before working with archival materials. 
  • Gloves are required for handling photographs and non-encapsulated architectural drawings. Nitrile gloves are provided. 
  • Never flip, fan, crumple, or fold the pages of archival materials such as book, magazine or newspaper pages. 
  • Avoid forcing the spines of books open to lie flat, especially on the photocopier. 
  • Do not write on archival materials.  
  • Tracing maps or other materials is not permitted. 
  • Avoid placing your note paper or pad or your computer on top of or leaning directly on archival materials. 

        Guidelines approved by the Boulder Public Library District Board of Trustees on October 15, 2024.