Jane C. Sween Research Library and Special Collections

We are open and scheduling research appointments!  Request an appointment and review reading room guidelines to get started today!

We ask that you make an appointment so we can discuss your research request ahead of time, pull materials in advance, and generally make the most of your visit.

We are also still accepting remote research requests. Please contact the Librarian/Archivist or visit our remote research page for more information.

The Jane C. Sween Research Library and Special Collections is located at the Beall-Dawson Historical Park in Rockville. Named in honor of its first librarian, Jane C. Sween, the Library supports Montgomery History’s mission to collect, preserve, interpret and share the  history of all Montgomery County’s residents by providing resources and research support related to local history and genealogy. 

Search our Collections

Get a jump-start on your research by exploring descriptions of our collections material, or viewing actual documents and articles available to researchers online. 

Visit the Library

We are open to all researchers, by appointment. To request an appointment please do so through our online registration system and review the reading room guidelines.

Our collections are non-circulating, meaning we do not check out books or other materials. We also do not participate in Inter-Library Loan (ILL).

Location:  The street address of the library is 42 W. Middle Lane, between N. Adams St. and N. Van Buren St. in Rockville, MD. Parking is available for free in our lots off W. Middle Lane, as well as on the street (2-hour limit).

Hours:  By appointment. Contact us today!

Remote Research Services

Research services and scanning services are available from the staff for reasonable fees, depending on the nature of the request. Visit the link above, and email the Librarian for more information.

Image Requests
We will provide up to five images at existing resolution from our digital collection (linked above) for free. Requests for more than five photographs or higher-resolution scans may incur fees. View our Digital Image Agreement Form here, and contact the Librarian for more information.

Donate to Our Collections
Our documentation of Montgomery County’s history depends on donations from residents like you! To learn more about our collection– both what we have and what we’re looking for– please review our Collection Development Policy and Deed of Gift documents. We are always looking to add more to the historical record of the county, and your items or collections might be very valuable to researchers, now or in the future. Please contact the Librarian to discuss your donation.

For more information, contact:

Sarah Hedlund, Archivist/Librarian
shedlund@montgomeryhistory.org
301-340-2974