Our Local History and Genealogy area houses information on the history of Peru, La Salle County and the surrounding Illinois Valley. Items in our collection include the LaSalle-Peru Township High School Yearbook, Peru City Directory, Plat maps of the area among other books.
Using the Collection
The Local History and Genealogy collection, cataloged in PrairieCat, is found with an Advanced Search using Peru Public Library as the Library and Local History and Genealogy Collection as the Location.
The collection is available the same hours the library is open. Items from the local history collection may be used in the library’s main study space, but not in our quiet study rooms.
We allow water, coffee and other beverages inside the library, except by the computers and microfilm; the beverage must be in a securely covered container. Food is permitted in the main lobby.
Copies may be made on our photocopier at 20 cents per page. Printouts from the microfilm reader/printer are also 20 cents per page.
WiFi is available to everyone using the library. The study tables are wired for electricity.
Research Requests and Fees
Using the library’s collection, staff perform city directory, obituary, cemetery record and other basic local history searches for a fee of $5.00 per half hour (30 minutes), not to exceed two hours. This fee includes a maximum of five (5) photocopies, the sixth (6th) and succeeding photocopies are charged at $1.00 per page.
To request a search, please provide the individual’s name(s), detailed subject information you are requesting, applicable date ranges, along with $5.00 payment to the library (1409 11th Street, Peru, Illinois 61354). For time over the first half hour, the library includes a bill. For more information, please call (815) 223-0229 or email [email protected]