Learning Center

NGS Book Loan Collection

The National Genealogical Society (NGS) library holdings are housed in Special Collections at St. Louis County Library in St. Louis, Missouri. The entire collection is available to the general public in person, and non-reference volumes may be borrowed with Interlibrary Loan (ILL) through a local library.

Collection highlights include:

over 20,000 genealogy-related books, most available with interlibrary loan (ILL) lending
more than 6,000 family histories
state, county, and local histories
abstracts of records of cemeteries, churches, courts, deeds, marriages, wills and other probate records
strong holdings for states along the East Coast and New England

How to Find an Item of Interest

Search the St. Louis County Library catalog for a subject, title, author, or keyword. There may be two records for the same title:

Call numbers beginning with “R” (for example, R929.3) are reference items and do not circulate outside the library.
Call numbers without an “R” (for example, 929.3 or Q929.3) do circulate and can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan.

Print the catalog record of the book you want. Take the printout to the Interlibrary Loan department of your local library to order the book.

Remember, an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a transaction between libraries, so you must contact your home library to initiate any ILL request. The web page Interlibrary Loan Procedures for the National Genealogical Society Book Loan Collection provides helpful information for both librarians and patrons.

Donating Books to the Collection

NGS member authors who donate a copy of their book to the NGS Collection at St. Louis County Library may request a free listing of the book’s description in the NGS Magazine. Subject to NGS Magazine editor approval. For instructions, please contact

NGS Book Loan Collection
St. Louis County Library
1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63131

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (314) 994-3300 ext. 208