Historical Libraries Closing Nationwide

There's been an alarming trend of late due to the economic crisis, our history is becoming history.

From the story in Mental Floss...

My local historical society (Oregon Historical Society) has fallen on hard times lately, and recently closed its research library, temporarily permanently laying off most of its librarians (update: 15 were permanently laid off, 4 were later hired back). Oregon isn’t alone in this — as our local NPR station pointed out, historical societies in New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, and Virginia have been cutting hours and staff, if not closing entirely. The Oregon Historical Society has managed to keep its public museum open, but not the research library. The society’s collection includes “2.5 million photographs as well as maps, newspapers, audio recordings and other historical items,” many of which are now inaccessible due to the library closure.

Pictured above: The Aurora Band behind the Pioneer Hotel, circa 1877, care of the Oregon Historical Society.