Ancestry.com Library Edition
The library has a new resource that uses technology to make tracing family trees easier. Ancestry® Library Edition, a Web-based reference tool distributed by ProQuest, will allow you to start exploring your roots by searching a surname. Anyone can come into the library to dig into Ancestry Library Edition's millions of records – as far back as the 1400s.
Once connected to Ancestry Library Edition, you'll find a friendly opening screen that asks for the name of the person to be searched. Key in the name, click on "Search" and Ancestry Library Edition scans its vast selection of U.S. federal and state census data, birth, marriage, and death records, military records, Social Security death records, and immigration lists. It also includes an extensive collection of information from the U.K., including images census records and civil registrations. Additionally, probate records dating back to the 1500s are included from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The information you find are pieces of a puzzle that you'll assemble. These records have "clues" to the past – places where ancestors lived, names of relatives, birth or death dates, etc – that lead to more information. Names can be added to form the "tree" or searched to find more clues.
Ancestry.com Library Edition can be used on any of the computer workstations at the library. To get on the library computers you do need to have a library card. Please call (269) 468-3431 with any questions.
Book Sale
The library's next book sale will be Saturday, March 14th from 10am-2 pm in the library's lower level. You'll be able to browse through the library's extensive collection of used books, magazines, audiobooks, movies and more! The library remains open for this sale. We hope to see you there! Please call (269) 468-3431 with any questions.
Book Club
The Coloma Library Book Club is meeting for a book discussion on Thursday, March 5 @ 5:30 pm. The title to read before the discussion is The House Girl by Tara Conklin. Depending on demand, copies are generally available at the front desk for check out.
The Book club regularly meets every other Thursday and is always looking for new members. If you are interested in more information please click here or stop in the library.
Story Hour News
The Coloma Library will host a St. Patrick's Day Story Time on Saturday, March 14 at 1 pm. Join in on the fun! Listen to a story, make a craft and have a snack in the Community Room. All children are welcome, there is no sign-up or fee for this event. Call the library at (269) 468-3431 with any questions
Story Hour resumes on Wednesday, March 18 at 10:30 am. Join Ms. Amy for a craft, story and song time! Story Hour is for children ages 3 and up. It is asked that all children be accompanied and supervised by an adult. There is no sign-up or fee required.
Guidelines for Donating Materials to the Library
The library appreciates any donation which it receives. While we would love to accept all donations offered to us, we have a small library staff and team of volunteers to sort through donations. Each item donated is looked through and a decision is made if the items should be put in the library collection, sent to the book sale or distributed as free material to the public. Going through donations can be a very time consuming process. We greatly appreciate your adherence to the following guidelines before bringing your materials to the library. Thank you!
- Encyclopedias and textbooks over 5 years old will not be accepted.
- Books must be clean- not dirty or musty. If your books have been stored in an attic, basement, and/or garage for any length of time will most likely be dirty or musty.
- Magazines, DVDs and Puzzles are accepted
Newspaper Archive Now Available
Past issues of the Coloma Courier (November 1899-1969), Watervliet Record (1890-October 1984) and Tri-City Record (1984-2010) are now available for searching and browsing on this website. A special thank you to Karl Bayer at the Tri-City Record for allowing the library to make these papers available to the public. Also a special thank you to the Watervliet District Library for their support with this project.
Card Catalog
The library's catalog is availabe for you to search from home! Simply click "Catalog" from the menu bar on any page to visit the library's website. When you arrive at that site click "Coloma Public Library" and begin your search.
There you will find further instructions on how to search for books, renew items you have checked out and place holds. If you have any questions, please call the library at (269) 468-3431.
Checking Out E-Books
The library is glad to offer ebooks to patrons living within the library's service area. If you need assistance adding ebooks to your device, click here!
*Not all authors/publishers participate in ebook lending to libraries.
Happy Reading!
**Thank you to the Coloma Lioness Club, their generous donation has made many titles available for everyone to read!