About SVC
The Sangamon Valley Collection (SVC), located on the third floor of Lincoln Library, provides in-depth resources for the study of Springfield, Illinois, Sangamon County and the ten adjacent counties. The collection, established in 1970, contains materials from the past and present. The Sangamon Valley Collection is a non-circulating collection.
Contact SVC
Sangamon Valley Collection
Lincoln Library
326 S. 7th St.
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 753-4900 ext. 5634
SVC Hours
Monday 10a.m.-5p.m.
Tuesday 10a.m.-5p.m.
Wednesday 10a.m.-8p.m.
Thursday 10a.m.-5p.m.
Friday 10a.m.-5p.m.
Saturday 10a.m.-5p.m.
Sunday CLOSED
Genealogy & History Databases
Advantage Archives Newspapers
Ancestry Library Edition
Unlock the story of your family through census data, vital records, directories, photos, and more. Available for in-library use only.
FamilySearch
This FREE site provides access to a growing collection of databases of digitized records for genealogical research. Users are required to create a free account. Lincoln Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library.
Fold3
Access to US military records, including the stories, photos and documents of the men and women who served. Contains millions of records from world-class archives.
HeritageHub
Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704 - today.
HeritageQuest
HeritageQuest provides access to thousands of local and family histories, the complete U.S. Federal Census, Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, Freedman's Bank Records, city directories, and more.
Illinois Times
Search full-text (text only) local news in the Illinois Times, with coverage from 2003 to the present.
Illinois Times Image Edition
Browse and search the digitized version of the Illinois Times, with coverage from 1975-2014. Available for in-library use only.
Newspapers.com World Collection
Online access to 4,000+ historical newspapers from the early 1700s into the 2000s. Includes thousands of well-known, regional and state titles to small local newspapers in the United States and other countries.
Prairie Flame
Search and browse image editions of the Prairie Flame, a newspaper that reported "news of interest to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered people of downstate Illinois and those who support them in their quest for equality."
ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Defender
Digital newspaper archive of various editions of the Chicago Defender and Chicago Daily Defender, with coverage from 1909 to 2010. Offers full page and article images with searchable full text back to the first issue.
The State Journal-Register
Full-text local news in The State Journal-Register, with coverage from 1831 to the present.