What is your favorite library for family history research? I enjoyed reading this article because libraries don't often get enough attention for the role that they can play in family history resources. Do you think that library trips are a waste of time or that everything is online, nowadays?
While it's true that there are these amazing projects to digitize written records and books and so forth, the truth is that there are still a lot of "written" records, books and other publications that still in print, in the traditional sense. Here are some good reasons, as brought out in the article, and from my own experience, to visit a library.
- Libraries provide a dedicated area, (almost always), where you can spend an hour or more, working on your family history files. Whether you have those files on your computer or in a notebook or whatever, sometime you just need a place and a time where you will not be disturbed, so that you can review and assess what you've already accumulated.
- Libraries (the physical repository) have online catalogs. You can visit this catalog from home and plan what sources might be interesting or helpful for your genealogy journey. Learn how to utilize the search option by playing with it. Try entering surnames, topics, places, etc.; follow suggestions listed at the library catalog website and read the description of the items you locate. Is it a book, a digital file, microfilm or what?!
- Libraries have choices: there is media of different types. You can log onto their computers to access the Internet, but there are other options, too. They often have access to "electronic" resources. Some of these are subscription databases such as Ancestry.com or Heritage Quest. Other databases may be for magazines, articles, and periodicals. Don't neglect the video offerings, either. Many are of an educational nature, such as historical or travel related.
- The best resource in a library are the people who work or volunteer there. A reference librarian or the head librarian has received training and knowledge on helping the public find what they are looking for. They often know the history of the area, can help you find organizations like genealogical societies, and can point you where to go for what you're seeking. Always be clear, concise, and specific in your requests.
- Check to see if your library sponsors classes or seminars in genealogy and family history. Do they know local people who can help with your research? What other repositories can they suggest? Look for brochures and pamphlets on how to use the library, local museums, local historic features, etc.
- Does your library have a system for acquiring books that belong to other libraries?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 | ||||||||
| WorldCat.org (OCLC) |
No comments:
Post a Comment