Library Hours and Services

  • The library is open Tuesday – Saturday, 9:30am – 4:00pm.
  • For quick questions or for substantial research projects, contact our librarians directly at library@ncsml.org or 319-362-8500, x120.
  • If you would like on-site research assistance, we strongly recommend making appointments with our librarians at least two business days in advance.

About Collections

The Skala Bartizal Library collects materials pertaining to Czech and Slovak history and culture in a variety of formats. The materials described below provide an overview of the major parts of the library’s holdings. Contact library staff for more information about these collections and other resources of interest.

What We Collect

The Skala Bartizal Library collects library materials that document Czech and Slovak history and culture within both the European and American contexts. The Library also collects materials about other ethnic groups that have had a presence in the Czech and Slovak Lands, namely Germans, Jews, Hungarians, Carpatho-Rusyns and Roma (Gypsies).

The main languages of the collection are English, Czech and Slovak. Preference is given to English-language materials, as available, and materials produced by the Czech-American or Slovak-American community. The Library selectively acquires foreign-language materials published in the Czech Republic, Slovakia or the former Czechoslovakia.

Types of materials we collect:

Books

The book collection includes materials written in English, Czech, and Slovak and covering topics such as history, politics, art, music, literature, and genealogy. Use our online catalog to search for books.

Magazines, Newspapers and Periodicals

The Skala Bartizal Library has a collection of more than 50 current periodicals that are available in the reading room. The library also has a large collection of periodicals that are uncataloged. Contact the library for more information about holdings.

Archives

The Skala Bartizal Library has an extensive archival collection of manuscripts, photographs, personal papers and documents, and organizational records. A few notable collections are described below:

Institutional archives of the Czechoslovak National Council of America (CNCA)

Given to the NCSML by the CNCA in 2002, this collection consists of meeting minutes, correspondence, publications, press releases, member lists, and more. Many materials are in Czech.

Lyra Society sheet music and archives

The NCSML acquired this collection in 1997 from the Lyra Society, a Czech singing group headquartered in Chicago. The majority of this collection consists of songbooks and sheet music in English and Czech; other materials include ledgers, letters, and programs.

Pospishil letters

Forty letters written by John Pospishil while fighting for the Union Army during the Civil War. A native of Bohemia, Pospishil wrote these letters to his parents in Linn County while serving in Company K, 22nd Iowa Volunteer Infantry in Louisiana, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Mississippi. They are written in Czech using German script and have been translated. Digital copies of the letters can be found at the State Library of Iowa web site: Click here to view.

Burian collection

Items collected by Ludvik Burian, a Czech immigrant to America who served as a relief worker for the YMCA in Bratislava during and after the First World War. Materials include wreckage from Milan Stefanik’s fatal plane crash; lantern slides featuring Czechoslovak Legions and Slovak folk life (379 total); a memorial scrapbook; photo-postcards of Czechoslovak Legions; and newspapers published by the Czechoslovak Legions in Russia.

Czechs in Cedar Rapids archival collection

Czechs in Cedar Rapids Finding Aid

Items related to the Czech American experience in Cedar Rapids, Linn County and the greater Iowa area. Collection includes photographs, theater programs, newsletters and other ephemera related to Czech organizations, Czech American families and Czech Village.

NCSML archives

NCSML Archives Finding Aid

Materials related to the Czech Fine Arts Foundation and the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. (The Czech Fine Arts Foundation founded the NCSML). This collection consists of two series: materials related to the business of the NCSML and materials related to the events and programs hosted by the NCSML.

Legion Arts/CSPS collection

Legion Arts/CSPS Finding Aid

Items donated to NCSML by the Legion Arts Foundation in Cedar Rapids. Materials in the collection are primarily related to the various CSPS/CSA lodges.

František Kún

František Kún Finding Aid

Items in this collection are related to František Kún, who immigrated to the United States in 1865 and settled on a farm in Tama County, Iowa. He was the first pastor of a small group of Protestants near Ely, Iowa.

Oral Histories

Recording Voices & Documenting Memories of Czech & Slovak Americans

This project recorded over 300 interviews of Czechs and Slovaks who immigrated to the United States during and after the communist era in Czechoslovakia. Formats include digital tapes and .wmv files stored on hard drives. These interviews are available for research and viewing; however, advance notice is preferred so that library staff can convert them to a viewable format. For more about the project, view the Oral History web page.

Czechs in Cedar Rapids

This series, recorded by the Czech Fine Arts Foundation from 1981 to 1986, consists of 28 interviews totaling 32 tapes. Formats include VHS and digital tapes.

Investigating Iowa’s Czech Heritage

These interviews were recorded in eight different communities in Iowa in 2007 and 2008. Formats include digital tapes and DVDs.

Phonograph Records

The Skala Bartizal Library holds the largest collection of Czech and Slovak recorded music outside of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Library’s collection of phonograph records is significant and unique because it documents a continuous 80-year span of Czech and Slovak recorded music, representing a variety of musical genres and playing styles as expressed in the United States and in former Czechoslovakia. Holdings include more than 2,000 78 rpm phonograph records of popular music (mainly polkas, waltzes, and marches) recorded from the 1910s to the 1950s; nearly 1,000 33 rpm LP records of popular and classical music recorded from the 1950s through the 1980s; and 230 45 rpm records of popular music recorded in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s and 1970s. Contact library staff for more information about specific holdings.

Topics of interest include:

  • history and politics
  • community histories
  • biographies
  • immigration
  • folk and fine art
  • folk costumes
  • customs and traditions
  • religion
  • music
  • agriculture
  • food/cooking
  • genealogy

Search Collections

Search our online resources.

Genealogy

The Skala Bartizal Library has a collection of genealogical materials that may be of interest to those researching their Czech or Slovak family histories. Because of the complexity of family histories and genealogical searches, library staff and volunteers are unable to perform the substantive research required to construct your family history. However, we can assist you in identifying relevant sources within the library and can help with questions about the original spelling of placenames and surnames. We can also recommend other resources outside the NCSML that might provide additional information.

NCSML Genealogical Resources

Begin your search at our online catalog. Tip: use the search term “genealogy” or “family” along with the name you are searching.

Czech and Slovak Genealogy Websites

Czech Genealogy Resources

Cyndi’s List – Czech Resources
https://www.cyndislist.com/czech/

Czech Family Tree (links to regional and city archives, census records, military records, and more)
http://czechfamilytree.com/

Czech Genealogy for Beginners (features informative blog posts about a variety of topics)
http://czechgenealogy.nase-koreny.cz/

Family Search – Czech Genealogy
https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Czech_Republic_Genealogy

Foundation for East European Family History Studies – Czech Resources
https://feefhs.org/resource/czech

Global Gazetteer – Directories of Cities, Towns, and Regions in Czech Republic
http://www.fallingrain.com/world/EZ/

KdeJsme.cz (surnames and surname distribution in Czech Republic)
https://www.kdejsme.cz/

My Czech Roots (links to various records that are preserved within the 100+ State-run archives)
www.myczechroots.com

Nase Jmena (surnames and surname distribution in Czech Republic)
https://www.nasejmena.cz

Slovak Genealogy Resources

Article: Searching for Ancestors in Slovakia
https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20252305/searching-for-ancestors-in-slovakia.html

Centro Consult – Research in Slovakia and the former Austria-Hungary
http://www.centroconsult.sk/genealogy/toolbox.html#slovak

Cisarik.com (list of Slovak villages and surnames in those villages, and more)
http://www.cisarik.com/

Cyndi’s List – Slovak Resources
https://www.cyndislist.com/czech/

Family Search – Slovak Genealogy
https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Slovakia_Genealogy

Foundation for East European Family History Studies – Slovak Resources
https://feefhs.org/index.php/resource/slovakia

Global Gazetteer – Directories of Cities, Towns, and Regions in Slovakia
http://www.fallingrain.com/world/LO/

Slovakia & Environs Genealogy Research Strategies
(links to vital records, census records, military records, and more)

http://www.iabsi.com/gen/public/

Carpatho-Rusyn Genealogy Resources

Carpatho-Rusyn Genealogy
http://www.rusyn.com/

Carpatho-Rusyn Knowledge Base – Rusyn Genealogy Index
http://www.carpatho-rusyn.org/indexgen.htm

Carpatho-Rusyns of Pennsylvania
http://rusynsofpa.blogspot.com/

The Carpathian Connection (information about Rusyn towns and destinations in the US)
http://www.tccweb.org/

Jewish Genealogy Resources

Center for Jewish History Genealogy Guide: Czech and Slovak Republics
http://libguides.cjh.org/genealogyguides/czech_slovak/intro

Family Search – Czech Republic Jewish Records
https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Czech_Republic_Jewish_Records

Family Search – Slovakia Jewish Records
https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Slovakia_Jewish_Records

Geni – Jewish Czech
https://www.geni.com/project/search?q=jewish+czech

Geni – Jewish Slovak
https://www.geni.com/project/search?q=jewish+slovak

JewishGen – Austria-Czech Database
https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/AustriaCzech/

JewishGen – Austria-Czech Special Interest Group
https://www.jewishgen.org/AustriaCzech/

JewishGen – Hungary Database (includes former Hungarian regions of Slovakia and Sub-Carpathian Ukraine)
https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/Hungary/

JewishGen – Hungary Special Interest Group (includes former Hungarian regions of Slovakia and Sub-Carpathian Ukraine)
https://www.jewishgen.org/Hungary/

JewishGen – Sub-Carpathia Special Interest Group
https://www.jewishgen.org/Sub-Carpathia/

Oral History Interviewing Guides

Smithsonian Folklife and Oral History Interviewing Guide
https://folklife.si.edu/the-smithsonian-folklife-and-oral-history-interviewing-guide/smithsonian

Oral History Resources, Institute for Oral History, Baylor University
https://www.baylor.edu/library/index.php?id=974438

Oral History Guides, Minnesota Historical Society
https://www.mnhs.org/library/learn/collections/oral-history

Step-by-Step Guide to Oral History, DoHistory, Harvard University
https://dohistory.org/on_your_own/toolkit/oralHistory.html

Get Nosy with Aunt Rosie: Example Questions for Oral Histories, Genealogy.com
https://www.genealogy.com/articles/research/70_tipsoral.html

Oral History Interview, Questions and Topics, JewishGen.org
https://www.jewishgen.org/InfoFiles/Quest.html

Other Genealogy Resources

Czech-American TV (tool for discovering possible name changes, and more)
https://www.catvusa.com/genealogy/

Ellis Island Passenger Search
https://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/passenger

Find A Grave (details about cemeteries and people buried in those cemeteries)
https://www.findagrave.com/

Onward To Our Past – Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, and Czech Republic Knowledge Hub Page
http://onwardtoourpast.com/czech

Small Towns: Southeastern Jones County, Iowa and its European origins
http://www.oxfordjctgenealogy.com/main/

Tracing Immigrant Origins (principles, search strategies, and record types you can use to identify an immigrant ancestor’s original hometown)
https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Tracing_Immigrant_Origins

United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records (includes immigration records by major port of entry)
https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/United_States_Immigration_Online_Genealogy_Records

Czech and Slovak Genealogy Organizations

Czech and Slovak American Genealogy Society of Illinois 
www.csagsi.org/

Czechoslovak Area Genealogy Club of Southern California
https://cagc-ca.org/

Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International 
www.cgsi.org

Texas Czech Genealogical Society 
www.txczgs.org

Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center, Inc.
http://www.czechtexas.org

Donate Library Materials

The Skala Bartizal Library accepts donations of library materials from individuals and organizations. Please contact library staff to discuss potential gifts before bringing or sending them in. Doing so provides library staff an opportunity to make sure the items being offered fit the Library’s collection development guidelines and do not duplicate current holdings. We may ask that you provide a list detailing the materials that are being offered. Note: unsolicited materials may be given to other organizations or discarded at the discretion of library staff.

Items accepted by the library will be documented in a Certificate of Gift. Items sometimes have unique stories associated with them. Please provide as much of this information as possible, which will be noted in the Certificate of Gift.

Please note that we cannot provide appraisals or place values on donations for tax purposes. It is the donor’s responsibility to determine fair market value or to seek guidance from a tax adviser or attorney. More information can be found in IRS Publication 561 “Determining the Value of Donated Property.”

Library Staff

David Muhlena

David Muhlena, Library Director
Dave received his B.A. in history and M.A. in library and information science from the University of Iowa. He has been the library director at the NCSML since 1997. 

Leroy Bradway

Leroy Bradway, Cataloging Librarian
Leroy received his B.A. in psychology from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, a M.Div. from Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN and a M.A. in library and information science from the University of Iowa. He has been the library cataloger at the NCSML library since 2012.

 

We’re ready to help! Contact us directly at library@ncsml.org or 319-362-8500, x120.

External Links

Czech, Slovak, and Rusyn Organizations in the U.S.

CSA Fraternal Life
Lombard, Illinois
https://csalife.com/

Czech Catholic Union
Cleveland, Ohio
http://www.czechccu.org

First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota)
Independence, Ohio
https://www.fcsu.com/

First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association
Beachwood, Ohio
http://www.fcsla.org/

Greek Catholic Union
Beaver, Pennsylvania
https://gcuusa.com/

KJT Catholic Union of Texas
La Grange, Texas
https://kjtnet.org/

KJZT Family Life
Austin, Texas
https://www.kjzt.org/

Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
http://www.lpscu.org/

National Slovak Society
McMurray, Pennsylvania
http://nsslife.org/

RVOS Insurance
Temple, Texas
https://www.rvos.com/

Slovak Catholic Sokol
Passaic, New Jersey
https://slovakcatholicsokol.org/

Sokol Musuem & Library
https://sokolmuseum.org/

Sokol USA
Boonton, New Jersey
http://www.sokolusa.org/index_ns.html

SPJST
Temple, Texas
https://spjst.org/

Western Fraternal Life Association
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
http://www.wflains.org

Czech, Slovak, and Slavic Festivals

DATE VARIES

Czech festivals in the Midwest
http://www.nebraskaczechs.org/ne_festivals.html

Republic County Spring Czech Festival
Cuba, KS
https://www.facebook.com/Republic-County-Czech-Club-Rep-Co-Ks-387538781382091/

FEBRUARY

Ennis Czech Music Festival
Ennis, TX
https://www.ennisczechmusicfestival.com/

Masopust (Czech Mardi Gras)
Protivin, IA
http://www.czechheritagepartnership.org/events.html

Masopust (Czech Mardi Gras)
Montgomery, MN
https://www.cityofmontgomerymn.com/calendar/month

Fašank – Czech and Slovak style Mardi Gras
Binghamton, NY
http://czechoslovakmoravianclub.com/fasank-czech-and-slovak-style-mardi-gras/

Slovak Heritage Day
Slovak, AR
https://dolr.org/parishes/sts-cyril-and-methodius-church-slovak

MARCH

Czech Heritage Days
Libuse, LA
https://www.facebook.com/pg/KovandasCzechBand/events/?ref=page_internal

Czech Festival
St. Louis, MO
https://acecstl.org/upcoming-events/

APRIL

Šibřinky Dance
St. Paul, MN
http://www.sokolmn.org/upcoming-events/

Czech-Slovak Folklore Festival
Omaha, NE
https://www.facebook.com/OmahaCzechSlovakCulturalClub/

MAY

Kolache Festival
Prague, OK
http://www.praguekolachefestival.com/

Czech May Day
Montgomery, MN
https://www.cityofmontgomerymn.com/calendar/month

Lincoln Czech Festival
Lincoln, NE
http://www.lincolnczechs.org/festival.html

Houby Days
Cedar Rapids, IA
https://www.facebook.com/pg/czechvillagecedarrapids/events/?ref=page_internal

Czech, Moravian and Slovak Folklore Festival
La Mesa, CA
http://www.priateliaslovenskehofolkloru.com

Slavnost
La Grange, TX
http://www.czechtexas.org/events

JUNE

Sugar Creek Slavic Festival
Sugar Creek, MO
http://www.slavicfest.com/

South Central Nebraska Czech Festival
Hastings, NE
http://www.nebraskaczechs.org/south_central_chapter_page.html

United Moravian Societies Annual Picnic
Summit, IL
https://www.unitedmoraviansocieties.org/#events

Czech-Slovak Community Festival
Phillips, WI
http://www.czech-slovak-festival.com/

Tabor Czech Days
Tabor, SD
http://www.taborczechdays.com/

Simply Slavic Heritage Festival
Youngstown, OH
http://www.simplyslavic.org/

Kolache-Klobase Festival
East Bernard, TX
http://www.kkfest.com/

Cesky Den Festival
Hillsboro, WI
https://www.facebook.com/CeskyDen/

Clarkson Czech Festival
Clarkson, NE
https://clarksonczechdays.org/

JULY

Slovak-American Day
Franklin, WI
https://federatedslovaksocieties.org/

American Slovak Day
West Mifflin, PA
https://www.facebook.com/slovakday/

Slovak Picnic
Broadview Heights, OH
https://jessicasparrow.wixsite.com/zemplinpicninc

Summer Festival
Danville, PA
https://www.facebook.com/sscmsrs/

Czech Heritage Day
Dwight, NE
http://www.nebraskaczechs.org/dwight.html

Kolacky Days
Montgomery, MN
http://www.montgomerymn.org

Wilson After Harvest Czech Festival
Wilson, KS
https://wilsonczechfest.com/

Czech and Slovak Festival
Dearborn Heights, MI
https://www.sokoldetroit.com/events

AUGUST

Wilber Czech Festival
Wilber, NE
http://www.nebraskaczechsofwilber.com/czech-days/

Northeastern Wisconsin Czech & Kolache Festival
Kewaunee, WI
http://agriculturalheritage.org/?page_id=336

Clutier Czech Day (formerly Bohemian Plum Festival)
Clutier, IA
https://www.facebook.com/pg/WhatIsHappeningInClutier/posts/

Czechoslovak Harvest Festival
Bannister, MI
https://www.facebook.com/ZCBJ-Lodge-225-Western-Fraternal-Life-Association-126739624091965/

Czechoslovak Festival
Binghampton, NY
http://czechoslovakmoravianclub.com/old-country-piknik/

Czech Heritage Day / Beer Barrel Days
Prague, NE
https://neczechsofprague.wixsite.com/neczechsofprague/czech-heritage-day

Czech Heritage Festival
Bechyn, MN
http://www.bechynczechfest.org/

Mahoning Valley Slovak Fest
Youngstown, OH
www.americanslovak.org

Czech Days
Protivin, IA
https://www.christourhopecluster.com/holy-trinity.html

Slovak Festival
Sterling Heights, MI
https://saintcyrils.church/discover/slovak-festival/

SEPTEMBER

Westfest
West, TX
http://www.westfest.com/

Caldwell Kolache Festival
Caldwell, TX
http://www.burlesoncountytx.com/kolache-fest

Czech Fest
Hayward, MN
https://www.facebook.com/ZareZapadu/

Dožínky Festival
New Prague, MN
https://www.newprague.com/events/dozinky-festival/

Czech & Slovak Festival
St. Paul, MN
http://www.sokolmn.org/upcoming-events/

Moravian Day
Lemont, IL
http://unitedmoraviansocieties.org/#moravianday

Johnstown Slavic Festival
Johnstown, PA
https://www.jaha.org/events/johnstown-slavic-festival/

Hallettsville Kolache Festival
Hallettsville, TX
https://www.facebook.com/HallettsvilleKolacheFest

Houston Slavic Heritage Festival
Houston, TX
http://www.houstonslavicheritagefestival.com/

Slovak Heritage Festival
East Brunswick, NJ
https://www.facebook.com/slovakfestival/

Victoria County Czech Heritage Festival
Victoria, TX
http://www.victoriaczechs.org/

Septemberfest
McMurray, PA
http://nsslife.org/museum/

Czech Heritage Day
Lodgepole, NE
https://nebraskapanhandleczechs.weebly.com/

OCTOBER

Czhilispiel
Flatonia, TX
https://www.flatoniachamber.com/p/czhilispiel

Republic County Fall Czech Festival
Munden, KS
https://www.facebook.com/Republic-County-Czech-Club-Rep-Co-Ks-387538781382091/

Oklahoma Czech Festival
Yukon, OK
http://www.czechfestivaloklahoma.com/

Houby Day Festival and Parade
Cicero, IL
https://www.everfest.com/e/houby-day-festival-parade-cicero-il

Český Večer
Austin, TX
http://www.austinczechs.com/

Czechfest
York, NE
https://nebraskaczechsofyork.org/

Heritage Fest & Muziky
La Grange, TX
http://www.czechtexas.org/

Harvest Fest / Dozinky
Lexington, MA
http://www.czskboston.org/events/

Czech & Slovak Festival
Towson, MD
http://cshamaryland.org/

Virginia Czech & Slovak Folklife Festival
Prince George, VA
http://www.virginiaczechslovak.org/index.html

NOVEMBER

Slovak Heritage Festival
Pittsburgh, PA
https://www.facebook.com/SlovakHeritageFestival/