Something for Everyone

1. Something for Everyone Genealogical Reference Service in the 21st Century Curt B. Witcher, MLS, FUGA, IGSF

2. The Very Best of Times… • More people are engaged… • More technology is being deployed in more diverse ways… • More sites on the Internet… • More images on websites… • More collaborative initiatives have moved from contemplation to action… • More people can play…

3. Why the interest? • Technology explosion—it is easier to collect data than ever before. • Aging baby-boomers. • Search for stability and meaning. • Advances in medical and genetic research—making family health history critical for many people. • Broken families of the last three decades. • Genealogy is a great way to teach history.

4. Servicing these patrons… • Understand that this pursuit is important to them • Simply applying good reference techniques will turn any library— every library—into an outstanding genealogical resource center.

5. Change of roles… • Successfully engaging with genealogists means our roles as information providers will have to be modified to roles as research instructors—teach vs. provide. • If we do this, our approach to the reference interview will be different, our comfort level with the overall transaction will increase, and we will think of better answers.

6. Dealing with the person… • Genealogists typically communicate best through stories. • This form of communication can be antithetical to a standard reference transaction. • There are all kinds of ways to gently communicate to them, “Just the facts!”

7. Strategies… • Seize the moment!! (pause, break in the action, etc.) • “And which line would you like to focus on today?” • “And which record would you like to start with today?” • “Have you had a chance to look at our online catalog?”

8. Strategies… • Next to knowing is knowing where to find out. • Next to having is knowing where the data can be obtained. • St. Louis County Library and the Mid-Continent Public Library (MO) loan genealogy materials.

9. The FamilySearch “Family” • Explore the Family History Library catalog. Most film can be loaned to Family History Centers and select libraries. • Explore Research Guidance, and Research Helps aspects of FamilySearch.org. • Explore links to onlinebooks in their catalog.

10. Information Retention Hierarchy/Scheme

12. Local Public Library Websites • Collect & preserve published local & family history of the specific area. • Often serve as a repository for primary source, non-published materials. • Collect & make accessible very detailed data about the people, businesses & organizations in the community. • Increasingly robust web sites.

13. State Library Websites • The “public” library for the state—focus on collecting published materials. • Searchable genealogy and local history files. • Growing collections of online indices & guides as well as digital collections.

14. National Libraries

18. And there are others… • Dallas Public Library • Houston Public Library—Clayton • Los Angeles Public Library • Miami Dade County Public Library • Mid Continent Public Library • New England Historic Genealogical Society • …

19. Local Archives

20. State Archives Websites • Focus collection on unpublished, manuscript materials. • Searchable online guides, calendars, & other research guides. • Growing digital collections. • Custodial repositories for county archival materials.

21. The National Archives [US]

22. Local Historical Soc. Websites

23. State Historical Soc. Websites • Tend to be the keepers of the manuscripts & photos for their respective states. • Often have research libraries with online catalogs and increasingly online digital collections. • Offer preservation & conservation expertise. • Coordinate special programs, e.g. centennial farms, pioneer homesteads, veterans histories, county historians, etc.

24. National Historical Societies

25. Extraordinary Extras

26. USGenWeb/WorldGenWeb • Network of local volunteers across the country (and world!) indexing, abstracting, transcribing, and digitizing local records & documents. • Consistency and comprehensiveness continue to be minor issues, though improving over time.

30. Family History Department • Family History Library • Family History Archive • Scan stone Project at the Granite Mountain Vault • FamilySearch Labs/ FamilySearch Indexing

31. Putting the pieces together… • Recall how historical data is archived. • Focus the reference interview. • Collect locally; link widely.

32. In Service of Genealogists… • There is nothing we can’t answer. • Instruction as the answer is acceptable. • Collect local data comprehensively. • Link to area, regional, and national data. • Index and digitize items of special local interest.