Interlibrary Loan Policies for Researchers (Libraries click here)

The Kansas Historical Society does not charge a fee for its ILL service. Your library may have a return postage charge for ILL requests.

What Is Available

For preservation reasons, we only loan our collections on microfilm. Out-of-state researchers may only borrow our Kansas newspapers and manuscripts on microfilm. Kansas residents may request any of our microfilm collections.

Do not contact us directly. You may borrow up to two reels of film at a time, for two weeks, by submitting a request to your local library or participating LDS Family History Center. You must use film only in the borrowing library. The loan period is for three weeks, including shipping time, with no renewal. All loans may be subject to immediate recall.

The replacement cost for lost or damaged film is usually $50.00, but film purchased by the Historical Society through outside vendors may cost more.

These links will help you find the microfilm reel numbers that you need to submit your request to your local library.

• Library Material
• Civil War Pamphlets on Microfiche
• City Directories
• Kansas Newspapers
• Biographical clippings


• State Records
• Kansas state censuses
• Kansas federal censuses for 1860 and 1870
• Indexes to some Kansas state censuses
• Local Records on Microfilm
• Corporation charters index
• Kansas state penitentiary records index (alphabetic; specify the last name of the prisoner with request)
• State Militia index
• Civil War (partial index online)
• WWI veterans 1930 enrollment index


• Manuscript Collections
• Enrollment Cards of the Five Civilized Tribes
• Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940
• Additional manuscript collections on microfilm


• Photograph microfiche by county & individual collections
• Allen County
• Anderson County
• Atchison County
• Berryman Collection
• Buffalo photographs
• Gannon Collection


• Maps
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
• Plat Books

How to Order

Step 1:

Obtain The Microfilm Reel Number:
You can look up many of the film numbers for newspapers, census reels, and other materials on our website.

If you prefer, you may also contact the reference desk by e-mail or by calling 785-272-8681, ext. 117, during the hours we are open, or by fax at 785-272-8682.

Step 2:

Contact Your Local Library:

All requests for interlibrary loans must be submitted from a participating library or LDS Family History Center. You initiate the loan process by contacting them, providing them with a complete citation to the source you are interested in (including reel number), and they will contact us to place the request.

Libraries:

For more information, please see our webpage designed specifically for interlibrary loan librarians, or contact our interlibrary loan staff at 785-272-8681, ext. 323, or e-mail: ill@kshs.org.