Kiplinger Research Library

Research appointments must be requested at least one week prior to your desired date. In preparation for visits, we ask each researcher to provide a list of material that they would like to access during their research appointment at least one week prior to their appointment.

• Search our online catalog using keywords relevant to your topic. Once you find material that you'd like to see, please note its call number / object ID and title. Provide your request list when sending your appointment request. For some collections, you can reference the finding aid for the collection to identify specific materials you'd like to reference. Learn more about using catalog records and finding aids. 
• We are available to help you identify additional materials that would be helpful for your research or provide suggestions via email on to how to use our online catalog effectively.

If necessary, appointments may also be requested by calling the Kiplinger Research Library at 202-516-1363 ext. 302.  While this line is not currently staffed, we will check messages regularly.

Below are the two forms you will be asked to complete during your research visit - we will provide them to you. However, you may complete them online and email them to library@dchistory.org. 

Prior to your scheduling your appointment, you will be asked to submit a list of materials / collections for your visit. Most of these requests can be sent in the body of an email, however, if your visit spans multiple dates or you are requesting a high volume of materials, we ask that you use the template below to submit your request. 

• Researchers must fill out a Researcher Registration Form and show photo identification on their first visit.  At each subsequent visit, they must check in at the reception desk.
• Food and drink are not allowed in the library.
• All personal items must be placed in a secure location before working with collections. You may bring pencils, small hand-held wallets, phones, or computers to the designated workspace. 
• Collections are to be handled carefully.  
  • Only remove one file folder or photograph envelope from a box at a time.
  • Use gloves when working with photographs and negatives.
  • Use book cradles and carefully handle paper materials depending on the size and condition of the book.
  • Keep documents flat on the surface of the reading room table and in the exact order in which they were received.  
  • Do not rearrange or remove items from folders.  If something appears to have been filed in error, notify the reference librarian.
  • Use pencils while taking notes and place their note paper beside – not on top of – documents, photographs, or books.
• Researchers may request high-resolution scans of materials.  Items in folders need to be flagged.  Flags (markers) are available at each table. Ask a staff member about the reproduction process and applicable fees. Digital reproduction request forms and a library fee schedule are available from the reference staff.
• Researchers may use small personal handheld cameras without flash to be used for personal use and study after completing the Permission for Personal Camera Use form. 
• Please speak to a staff member if you would like to request additional material. Availability of material is at the discretion and availability of staff. Reference staff may limit the amount of material pulled for a researcher at one time. 
• Credit the use of any DC History Center materials in a research product (e.g. book, article, thesis, dissertation, and audio or video production) and provide the library with one complimentary copy of each product if applicable.  

The Kiplinger Research Library is located on the 2nd floor of the Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square - 801 K Street NW.

• The doors of the building open at 10am
• For a wheelchair accessible entrance, use the basement doors on the south side of the building facing K Street NW. Elevators are located to the left of the Carnegie Gallery. 
• You can also use the main doors on the north or south side of the building. A public elevator is located on the southwest side of the building and the main staircase is on the south side. 

There is no DC History Center dedicated parking. However, there is street parking and public pay lots available in the surrounding area. We are also metro-accessible via Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red / Yellow / Green lines) or Mt. Vernon Convention Center (Yellow / Green) and a number of bus lines including the Circulator. 

We aim to provide equitable access to library resources and services - if you require specific accommodations in order to have a satisfying research visit, please let us know when you make your appointment and we will do our best to meet them. Below are a few situations you may encounter during a library visit:

• At the beginning of your research appointment - we ask you to complete our researcher registration form by hand - you may complete this form online before your appointment or one of our library staff members can complete it for you.
• Depending on the materials you requested - you may have to remove small document boxes from carts or shelves, remove folders from boxes, carefully open envelopes to remove fragile photographic or paper materials. If any of these actions would be a barrier to access for you - please let us know at the time you make your appointment so we can have a library staff member available to support your access to the materials.
• There is no eating or drinking in the library - you will have to exit the library to consume any food or beverage that may be needed. 
• There are several magnifiers and loupes available at the self-service library tools cart to assist researchers, as well as a task light; these can also be requested to be placed with your research materials ahead of your arrival.