In memory of Barbara Lou (Anderson) Dew.
Barbara served as Director of the Ottawa Library for 25 years, from April 1982 until her retirement on October 31st, 2007. Her career at Ottawa Library spanned 32 years, having begun on July 28th, 1975.
Throughout her tenure at the Ottawa Library, Barbara's focus was on improving and expanding services provided to the community. During this time, many significant changes occurred: the move to a new facility at 105 S. Hickory Street in August 1996; expansion of the genealogy section; and the advent of the digital age, incorporating computers into the library experience. Not only did the library establish a website and implemented a digital catalog and lending system, but public computers also made internet access available to the patrons for the first time.
Through her personal memberships in Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Colonial Wars, and Daughters of American Colonists, Barbara developed a keen interest in historical and genealogical research. She and her husband spent many family vacations searching for elusive family tidbits by visiting historical locales and during travels to England and Scotland. Her goal was to improve the genealogical resources available to the community through the Ottawa Library. This memorial is intended to perpetuate her goal by continuing to support the Ottawa Library in the maintenance of local historical and genealogical resources, as well as by promoting genealogical research.
Online Resources
Black Life in America
Black Life in America—a unique digital archive of news media—presents the broad sweep of African American history in ways no textbook or other online resource can match. By offering balanced coverage from diverse sources published from 1704 through the present day, this multi-disciplinary resource is crucial for the study and interpretation of historical and current events.
Local History, Periodicals, News
Heritage Hub
Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704 – today. HeritageHub helps you easily identify relatives, uncover new information, and potentially unknown family members. Includes deep coverage from all 50 states, hard-to-find content from the mid-1900s, and original obituary images. Access is available 24/7.
Culture & Society, Genealogy, Local History, Periodicals
Ancestry - Library Edition
Ancestry Library Edition brings the world’s most popular consumer online genealogy resource to your library. It’s an unprecedented online collection of individuals from North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and more. Only available onsite.
Genealogy, Local History
Chronicling America
The Chronicling America project offers a searchable U.S. Newspaper Directory which can be narrowed by geographic coverage, date, language, ethnicity, and labor press (i.e., published for readers of a particular occupation or political philosophy, such as coal miners, dairy farmers, and/or socialists). Chronicling America also offers free access to a handful of digitized Kansas newspapers (such as the Kansas Herald of Freedom).
Local History, News, Periodicals, Government
Franklin County Historical Society
The Franklin County Historical Society embraces preservation in all its forms. The Old Depot Museum engages its diverse audience, presents its collections and programs in ways that reflect honorably upon the stories and artifacts whose stewardship we accept. We place high value on nurturing the abilities of our staff and volunteers while fostering a strong community through strategic partnerships.
Local, Local History
Heritage Quest
Accessible at home or at the library. HeritageQuest offers access to federal census records and city directories, U.S. Indian Census Rolls, slave schedules and Freedman’s Bank records, mortality schedules, agricultural and industrial schedules, and a variety of published family and local histories
Culture & Society, Genealogy, Local History, State Library