About the AACA Library
Information About the AACA Library
The first collection of automotive literature was bought from the estate of Alfred S. Lewerez of California in 1977. The groundbreaking for the Library was May 12, 1985. The Hershey Region donated $20,000 to the building Fund and several AACA Board members and AACA members began the Endowment Fund. Kim Miller was hired 28 years ago to be our Librarian. She is a graduate librarian and acknowledged to be one of the premier automotive librarians in the country.
The Endowment Fund has now grown nicely and the Library is and has been debt free for many years. Nothing is ever spent before we have the funds. It is a very well thought out financial environment.
The AACA Library merged with the National AACA in January 2008. As a result, paid AACA members are eligible to receive up to 1.5 hours of free research a year. This is just one of many great benefits you receive with your AACA membership.
The Library can be accessed by letter, phone, e-mail, fax and walk-in.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM to 3:45 PM
Contact info
501 W. Governor Road
Hershey, PA 17033
Phone: (717) 534-2082
Fax: (717) 534-9101
E-mail: kmiller@aacalibrary.org
The Facilities
The Interior of the building is in three levels. The main entrance level has a display of some of the vehicles donated to and owned by the Library. They are:
- a 1906 Mitchell Model C-6 Runabout
- a 1929 Harley Davidson Motorcycle
- a 1940 Ford Convertible Coupe
A 1925 Overland sits on the front porch of the AACA Headquarters and Library. Volunteers from the Sugarloaf Mountain Region have refurbished this car to a presentable appearance with money from donations and their free time. See a picture of the Overland on the "Library News" page.
There are also large display cases in the entrance level room for any member’s collections to be on display as well as some special pieces from donations by members.
The steps then lead up to an open area where the space-saving movable stacks are which houses the collection of automotive and vehicle literature for all makes of cars. This is reference material that has been donated as well as bought by the library for its value and use. Along with these files, there are flat files, card catalog and work centers for the staff as well as tables and chairs for those who have come in to do research. This is the area for the computers, phones, and copy machines necessary to disseminate the research requests. The side wall is filled with a beautiful mural of the “old days” of driving what we now call our Antique Cars.
There is a lower level which houses a workroom. In this level are the files for several marque clubs that pay the Library for storing their material and having them accessible for their membership.
Donations Overview
Donations can be made to several funds which the library uses for operations. The Endowment Fund principal is untouchable. We can use the interest that is generated for operational needs. This fund can be given to in any amount by anyone. If the donation is $1000 or more there is a gift returned of either a beautiful “captain style” chair embossed with the donor’s name or two beautiful study lamps also engraved. These gifts are valued at $300.00 We want this fund to continue to grow for future needs that may have to be met with use of the interest. These donations can be as a gift, an honorarium, or a memorial from individuals or regions.
The newest Fund is called the Collectors Matching Fund Grant and it is a five year $100,000 grant given by Collectors Foundation to the Library for the purpose of placing our holdings online. Whatever the dollar amount that is given, Collectors Foundation matches it. It is being added to constantly.
We have occasions for a special crisis such as when the roof needed replacement. A fund was established and almost all of the cost was met by immediate donations from wonderful individuals who gave what they could, our own board members who contributed and the regions that stepped forward at the National meeting.
We have since established a much needed and now in effect Maintenance Fund that is also welcoming donations. Regular donations, gifts and honorariums not specified go into the general operations fund.