The Holyoke History Room is dedicated to preserving the history of Holyoke and supporting research into the city's past. History Room collections include maps, photographs, city directories, and Holyoke newspapers (on microfilm) from the 1850s to the 1990s. Biographical and subject files provide information on numerous Holyoke residents, landmarks, businesses, institutions, and organizations.The Reading Room is located off the third-level gallery in the new Holyoke Public Library.

Regular Reading Room Open Hours

Tuesdays: 10-2 and 3-6
Wednesdays: 10-4
Thursdays: 10-4

Closed July 28 - August 2, 2025

Closed Mondays and Fridays except by appointment.

If you think that the materials you need for research may be in the secure archive, or have materials to donate, or are coming from a distance, please call in advance to let us know you are coming. Due to limited staffing, research collections held in secure storage may not available to those without an appointment.

If you wish to bring a group to the History Room, please contact us in advance so that we can prepare an informative visit.

For more information on using History Room collections, click here .

We can also provide limited remote research assistance by telephone or email:

historyroom [at] holyokelibrary.org

/ 413 -/- 420 -/- 8107

History Room Events

Online Research: See our Digital Collections and our Collections pages for free online local history resources. See our Genealogy page for ways (including many free ones) to continue your research online. The Library also has many other online resources for general research availalble to Holyoke Public Library cardholders. If your card is from a different library, check that library's website for access to e-resources.

History Room YouTube Channel for video digitization projects and selected event recordings

Information for Researchers: Collections located in the Reading Room are available during Regular Reading Room hours for use without an appointment. If you anticipate using archival or other collections, please contact the History Room 24-48 hours in advance of your visit. All History Room materials are non-circulating. For more information, see Collections (and how to use them) and/or Digital Collections. For research appointments, contact the Librarian for Historical Collections at the number below.

Classes: Inquiries regarding class or group visits and student projects of all types are welcome. The best collaborations are preceded by a meeting with the Librarian for Historical Collections, who can prepare and tailor your group's experience. History Room resources can be used to support research on a wide variety of topics related to the city and its history or to provide writing prompts and inspiration for creative work. Contact the Librarian for more information or to make an appointment. We welcome groups of all ages.

Reference Librarian for Special Collections: Eileen Crosby, Ph.D., M.S.L.S.

Call us: /413 /-/ 420 /-/ 8107

Email us: historyroom@holyokelibrary.org

Telephone and email inquiries: For patrons unable to visit the Reading Room, our volunteer staff can conduct limited research. Please provide the details of your prior research (so that we do not duplicate it) along with your own name and contact information. Please allow 7-10 days for look-ups, longer for more complex requests.

A look back at the Grand Opening in 2013

Thank you to all our patrons for your patience during our move back to the Holyoke Public Library. We have enjoyed seeing so many familiar and new faces. We had many visitors the day of the Library's Grand Opening (below). In the second image, the library's portraits of Joseph Parsons (Parsons Paper) and Minnie and William Dwight (Holyoke Transcript-Telegram) are visible.

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Stay in the loop: Sign up to receive news specifically about History Room events, activities, and programs:

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