Updates on the Alma Powell Branch Library can be found on kpl.gov/pow

Local Information Database

Library Research Resources


Kalamazoo Public Library maintains a wealth of current and historical information about area citizens, organizations, businesses, buildings, events, plus local, area, and state news (with a local angle).


Search Local Information

KPL’s Local Information Database combines indexing of local newspapers, magazines, historical photos, and other Local History resources. Library staff add new records to this rich resource of more than one million items every day.


Search Local Organizations

KPL’s Local Organization Directory features 900+ social service agencies, clubs, associations, churches, and other nonprofit organizations in Kalamazoo County. Library staff annually update each organization’s entry.


Local Newspaper Index

The Kalamazoo Gazette has been indexed since 1972, with some coverage of personal names before then. The index includes both subject and personal names and covers local, area and state news. Each citation includes the headline, the date of the paper in which the article appears, the section, page, and column, and indicates whether a picture illustrates the article.


Kalamazoo Gazette Index

For the date of the most recently input Kalamazoo Gazette, please inquire at either the Reference Desk or the Local History Room Desk.

1968–Current
Complete subjects and personal names (except Circuit Court sentencings and public notices, which begin in 1984). The Gazette stopped publishing marriage licenses and divorces about 15 October 2013, birth announcements about 5 January 2016, and court sentencings in January 2016.

1960–1967
Births, deaths, marriage licenses, divorces, engagements, weddings, wedding anniversaries, obituaries, selected other personal names, and some subjects. Full indexing is in progress for 1966 and 1967.

1940–1959
Weddings and obituaries, selected other names, no subjects.

1938–1939
Obituaries only. 1937 is in progress.

1917
Obituaries in progress.

1857–1888, 1890, 1891
Obituaries only (only a few exist for 1863 & 1864, none for 1865). 1889 completed through June.

1834–1856
Complete personal names. Complete subject index available on microfilm.


Local History Room Index

The Local History Room section of the database captures a wonderful variety of information not indexed in the other databases, including access to the clipping files, scrapbooks, pictures and short sketches in books, etc.

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