Since it opened 22 years ago, the Orwigsburg Historical Society & Museum has been collecting books related to history.

They include county financial records from the early 20th century, a series related to the study of archaeology and curious titles like one Kathy Augustine-Pomian of Orwigsburg recently donated to the society.A history book about footwear, it's called "Shoes" by Lucy Pratt and Linda Woolley.With more than 300 books in stock at its headquarters at 109 E. Mifflin St., Jennifer L. Bowen, the society's founder and president, decided it was time to organize them."We decided to start a research library at the society. It will include information about archaeology, antiques, architecture and some rare resources," Bowen said.Augustine-Pomian has been a major supporter of the project and the "primary donor," Bowen said.This year, society volunteers plan to organize the library in the society's community room. There will be a dedication of the research library later this year, possibly in September, Bowen said.They've already started organizing the collection on book shelves in a corner of the community room."We're looking for someone to donate a vintage card catalog. We need a single unit, small card catalog, something where we can list our books by author or title or subject. So if someone comes in and asks if we have research materials on, for example, Depression glass, any books or research materials, we'll have something to help us do a search," Bowen said.Bowen is still developing rules for how the library will work."We haven't fully discussed whether people can sign books out. Some of these books are pretty valuable and some are one of a kind and can't be bought anymore but they're out of print. We're a little leery of lending," Bowen said.She and Augustine-Pominan are still working on a name for the society's research library.Once it's complete, it can be a resource for high school and college students and people researching their roots."Students can get ideas for term papers by coming to see a library like ours. If they don't know what to write about, they can take a look at our collection. And they may find themselves saying, 'Oh my gosh! I never thought about something like this,' " Bowen said.The Orwigsburg Historical Society was incorporated on Aug. 19, 1994.In 2016, the society launched a capital campaign in an effort to raise $25,000 for improvements to the jail near East Mifflin Street, which was built in 1891, and the old firehouse, which was built in 1890 but finished in 1891.The society is dedicated to preserving the culture, history and architecture of Orwigsburg and southern Schuylkill County, Bowen said.It's open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Tours are available by appointment by calling 570-366-8769.