Library Overview and Hours

The Hayes Research Library

Honoring the memory of Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th U.S. president, the Hayes family established a presidential library, the first in the United States. Opened in 1916, this library preserves President Hayes' 12,000-volume personal library along with archival material from his military and political career, particularly his presidency (1877-1881). Over the years, the staff has expanded the collection to over 80,000 books which reflect Hayes' special interests, including genealogy, local history, and the Gilded Age period in which he lived.

Information regarding cataloged books, periodicals, and special collections materials can be accessed through the BGSU Libraries Catalog, which is a component of OhioLINK, a statewide library and information network. Our materials are also cataloged on WorldCat, www.worldcat.org

Contact: Head Librarian John Ransom, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, Ohio 43420. 1/800-998-7737, ext. 232. Email [email protected].

Library Hours

For library hours, visit https://www.rbhayes.org/visit-us/visitor-information/.

Admission

FREE

Services:

• Black and white copier ($.25 a page; $.50 a page 11 x 17)
• Color copier ($.50 a page, $1.00 a page 11 x 17)
• 2 microfilm readers
• 3 microfilm readers with printers ($.25 a copy)
• 3 microfilm reader/scanners - scans microfilm and prints copies to a laser printer ($.25 a copy)
• 6 Internet-connected computers available to the public with no reservation times.

All collections in the Library are open to the public for non-circulating use only. Most Ohio and genealogy books are in the Reading Room, available for browsing. Staff members retrieve other materials from the closed stacks for users. Unless the condition of the material prohibits it, all print items may be photocopied. Click here for library's security policy.

Our copy machines are not coin-operated; copy costs are totaled at the end of research time and paid to our staff.

Besides scheduled genealogy classes, tours and instructional presentations are available upon request. 

 Upcoming Classes