We invite you to visit our library whether you are just getting started and want to learn how to find records for your ancestors, have some experience and want to take it a step further, or are an experienced researcher looking for published material. Our volunteer library aides are on duty to assist you with the location of materials and answer questions but are not able to do research for you.
Members may use the library for free and check out books and periodicals for a period of two weeks. The public is welcome to use the library and help support it with a minimum donation of $3 per person, per visit. Visitors must sign in when entering the library.
PLEASE call the library, 541-345-0399, before coming to visit to make sure it is open. We are an all volunteer organization and sometimes we do not have the volunteers needed to open on a given day due to illness, emergencies, or bad weather. Thank you for your understanding.
FamilySearch Affiliate Library
OGS is are one of three genealogical societies and five public libraries in Oregon that are official FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries. That means that you may access most of the digital records on FamilySearch.com on your laptop while at the OGS Library, or you can use one of the three computers we have set up. When you see those little camera icons that have a key above them then try to access them, a message pops up saying you have to be at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City or at a Family History Center to view them. Well, now you can view and download most of them in our library. There is no charge to access the FamilySearch records in the library.
Collection
The library houses a large collection of books, periodicals, maps, microfilm, microfiche, CDs, and other materials, 10,000 items in all, not including our vertical file material. We have 980 families histories and an extensive collection of Oregon material including the Oregon Trail, Northwest Territory, and material from each of Oregon's 36 counties.
Hours
The library is open to the public from 10 am to 2 pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, except the 4th Saturday when we are closed for our monthly Lunch & Learn.
Location
The library is located at 955 Oak Alley, Eugene, OR 97401, just 2 blocks from the LTD bus and EmX stations and ½ mile from the Amtrak station. We are in the center of the block surrounded by Broadway, 10th, Willamette and Oak Streets in the alley between the Downtown Athletic Club and Oak Street, under the Overpark parking garage.
Parking
The Overpark Parking Garage offers free parking evenings and weekends. The first hour is free between 7 am and 6 pm on weekdays. There are six coin-operated metered spaces in front of the library on Oak Alley. Our front entrance is not handicap accessible (two steps down), but our rear entrance is available. It helps to call first to let us know you would like to use the rear entrance.
