To preserve more than 90 years of history since the Legion’s birth in 1919, The American Legion Library's staff manages a collection of more than 12,000 books, pamphlets and other documents.

For people researching veterans issues and U.S. involvement in the wars of the 20th and 21st centuries, the library’s staff is available to offer assistance.

If you need help finding information in the following fields, the staff will do its best to assist you:

• Americanism
• Veterans affairs
• National security
• Youth programs
• War histories
• American Legion histories
• Disarmament
• Veterans compensation
• Women’s role in war
• Newspapers of interest to military and veteran audiences
• The American Legion Magazine
• The American Legion Dispatch
• Extensive collection of photos
• More than 2,000 recruiting and patriotic posters
• Military unit histories
• Proceedings of the National Executive Committee and national conventions
• Information on national post and department history contests
• Information on the Emil A. Blackmore Museum

Genealogists need to be aware that the library is limited on resources and space, and that to protect the privacy of members, the library cannot release membership information.

For those who determine that National Headquarters is most likely the source of needed information, please be advised that original materials must remain in the library. However, copies of public documents can be provided in some cases for a nominal fee of 25 cents per page. Please be reasonable in your request.

By no means does the Legion profess to be all-knowing, so please contact the library staff before assuming that all your questions can be answered. Other sources, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, searchable at www.va.gov, might be able to assist you as well, especially with veterans benefits.

Otherwise, Library and Museum Director Howard Trace and his colleagues are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays for assistance.

You may reach them in various ways, depending on the immediacy of your needs:

• Voice: (317) 630-1200
• Fax: (317) 630-1241
• E-mail: library@legion.org
• Standard mail: 700 N. Pennsylvania St., P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206
• Visits: Library is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays