Archive Room of the Harlingen Public Library--History on File Norman Rozeff Books, videotapes, CD's, and movies are among regular sources used to unearth history, local and otherwise. Another, but often overlooked, source is the vertical file. Vertical file is the name given to documents stored in filing cabinets, whether these are three or four drawer vertical ones or the more voluminous three-drawer horizontal ones. Vertical files may contain a diverse range of subject material. These are usually placed in folders. Unlike regular library stacks with books catalogued by the Dewey Decimal or Library of Congress Classification Systems vertical files are simply titled by the prime subject matter contained and then placed within the cabinet in alphabetized order. Unfortunately the choice of a key wood to use in the folder title may be subjective. This means that a researcher possibly has to scrutinize different related subject folders to find the exact object of interest. A good librarian will however usually have created a cross- referenced index to assist people looking for a particular subject. Within a particular folder one may discover a potpourri of diverse items, all touching on the same subject. These can be newspaper clippings, diaries, photos, scrapbooks, brochures, maps, reports, essays, and more. Every Valley library, and many of its museums too, will have vertical files. Often they are either locked or situated in a secure room, and one must approach a librarian for access. They are usually locked for two reasons. One is that individual files are not fixed with anti-theft signaling devices and might be open to removal by unscrupulous individuals. The second reason is that the status of some material may be in quite fragile and require delicate handling. The vertical files in the Archive Room of the Harlingen Public Library are divided into three sections. One contains only Harlingen-related items while a second covers the remainder of the Rio Grande Valley. The third file covers both these plus other Texas material and is dedicated to legal size, oversized, and photographic items. There is also a separate oversized cabinet with four drawers containing current and historic maps of Harlingen and the region. The Harlingen file starts with "aeronautical accidents", has considerable material under business, chamber of commerce, city, Hill family, hospitals, individuals, library, obituaries, organizations, schools, U.S. military, and ends with weddings. The RGV file details all the Valley towns and cities and also has a section devoted to railroads The oversize file has a good section on weather and especially hurricanes. The library of each Valley community has a vertical file that likely emphasizes the history of that particular area. The Weslaco Museum has an especially comprehensive vertical file on the mid-Valley, and because it is the repository for the Hidalgo County Historical Commission collection the history of that county is well documented there. One thing is for sure. No matter which library or museum that you visit to find information on a particular local history subject, the library/museum staff and volunteers will be happy to assist you. Conducting a successful search makes their days. .