Benson Memorial Library Research & Obituary Requests Policy

Purpose

Benson Memorial Library offers a wide range of resources and the support of our staff to assist all members of the community for research involving  local history, genealogy, and obituary related projects.

Patron Research Requests

Library patrons who utilize the assistance of the staff are able to do so for free for their first 5 local history, genealogy, and obituary related requests each month. After the 5 free requests in a month are made, the assistance of the staff Historian for any local history, genealogy, and obituary related projects will be $5 per request.

For-Profit Research Requests

Businesses and individuals making money on the research provided to them will be charged $5 per hour for research performed with a minimum charge of $5. Examples of making money on research performed by Benson Memorial Library staff include, but are not limited to: for-profit media outlets, book projects/publishing, monetized articles/online publishing, for-profit business ventures. Staff discretion will be used when determining whether a request qualifies as making money on research. Research will be provided to the requestor upon payment.

Cash, checks made out to Benson Memorial Library, and credit/debit card payments via Square (with a card fee) will be accepted. These funds will be used to support future Local History & Genealogy projects at the Benson Memorial Library.

Approved by the Benson Memorial Library Board of Directors November 20, 2018.

Updated November 21, 2023.