The Long Beach History Collection at the Main Library includes materials in various formats relating to the history of Long Beach. The collection contains printed matter, photos, and artifacts that offer unique insight into Long Beach and the people who have lived here. Many of the items are rare and fragile. Most items are for use only in the library in order to better preserve them. Acrobats perform on the nose of a biplane, 1928.

Please visit the Central Information Desk at the Main Library to request access to these Long Beach History resources:

• Clipping & ephemera subject files, 1899 - present
• Small collection of Long Beach History photo files, organized by subject, 1905 - present

Please visit the Periodicals Department at the Main Library to request access to these Long Beach History resources on microfilm:

• Most Polk & City Directories on microfilm, 1911 - present
• Long Beach high school yearbooks on microfilm, 1911-present
• All newspapers mentioned below on microfilm

If you are unable to visit the library and would like more information about submitting a research request, please click here.

Long Beach History Index - The Long Beach History Index is Temporarily Unavailable (November 2009)

The Long Beach History Index is a selectively indexed online database which contains Long Beach history related citations. It is best searched by keyword. Although the index is available online, the full-text articles are not included in the database. Some indexed articles are on microfilm and some are in the Long Beach History Collection clipping files. Ask a Librarian to demonstrate how to search the Long Beach History Index or visit the Central Information Desk at the Main Library for access to materials in the Long Beach History Collection.

Historic Long Beach Newspapers
These historic Long Beach newspapers are available on microfilm in the Periodicals Department of the Main Library. Consider searching the Long Beach History Index mentioned above to locate the correct reel of microfilm.

Long Beach History Photo Collection

Photographs in the Long Beach Collection are currently not available online. Archived photos arranged in broad subject folders are available for viewing at the Main Library Central Information Desk. Photographs may not be taken out of the Library. Please bring a valid library card or driver's license to view the photo files. Allow at least one hour to select images and place a photo order. New family car, 1934, Long Beach.

Ordering Long Beach History Photos for Personal Use

Self-serve photocopies of photographs are allowed, at the discretion of the department manager in charge. To photocopy photos, please inform a staff member at the Information Desk of the Main Library before leaving the review table. Self-serve black and white photocopies are $.15 each. Without prior approval, all other methods of on-site photo reproduction are prohibited, including camera phone images, portable scanner images, videotaping, and similar technology.

The price to reproduce one photo for non-commercial, one-time, personal use is $27.00, including tax. This price includes one matte or glossy print, up to 8” x 10” in size. An image reproduced and saved on a CD is the same price. Mailing costs for either format are included in the price. The library does not provide photo editing or retouching services.

To order a photo from the Long Beach History Collection, please ask a Librarian at the Central Information Desk in the Main Library for assistance. All photo orders must be prepaid. The library accepts payment by check, cash, or money order only. Please allow ten working days for orders of 1-10 images. Some orders may require additional time.

For more information about ordering Long Beach Collection photos for media or for-profit uses, please contact the Long Beach History Librarian at lbpl_reference@lbpl.org. Additional fees and usage guidelines apply.

Additional Resources for Long Beach History Research

• Long Beach History Guide from CSULB - A detailed and well-organized subject guide to all aspects of Long Beach History.
• Long Beach Postcard Images - Along with a narrative, this site includes vintage hand-colored postcards of Long Beach landmarks, including the Virginia Hotel, Daisy Avenue School, Pacific (Lincoln) Park, the Library, and Farmer's Market.
• Historical Society of Long Beach - The Historical Society's e-Bay store. Various historic Long Beach photographs for sale online.
• Long Beach Heritage Museum - Images on this site are part of a private collection owned by Ken Larkey, long-time Long Beach resident and curator of the Long Beach Heritage Museum.
• Independent Researchers Available - Research referral from the National Archives and Records Administration. Researchers are independent contractors, charge a fee, and are not associated with LBPL or the National Archives and Records Administration.
  

Long Beach History Research Requests

Research requests are evaluated individually. There may be fees for research requests. Researchers should email project requests to the Long Beach History Librarian at lbpl_reference@lbpl.org so that she can provide a cost estimate before work begins. Do not send money until this step is completed! The Long Beach History Librarian may also offer suggestions or alternatives to lower the cost of the search. Payment for services is accepted by the library in the form of cash, check, or money order only.

Answers to any other questions about the Long Beach History Collection may be obtained by emailing the Long Beach History Librarian at lbpl_reference@lbpl.org or by submitting the web-based reference request form located here.