[Genealib] Declining use of collection

[Johnson, Jane]

We have seen a marked decrease in traffic since 9/11.  People who used to
come from across the country and spend a week with us have almost vanished.
One reason may be our location in a busy downtown area with no free library
parking.  Internet resources, such as HeritageQuest, which our library
provides remotely, and Ancestry.com accounts have probably been our second
biggest factor in lack of use of the collection.  

In an effort to please our patrons, we have started a small collection of
materials in a branch that has a special local interest in history.  These
materials do not check out, but patrons can use them 6 days a week.  Local
family files for that region of the county are also available at that
branch, as well as in our area downtown.

Patrons are also more knowledgeable about Interlibrary Loans, ordering books
through the Internet or ordering through book stores.  

I think it would be helpful for library administration to look at our
collections differently.  We may order 30 best sellers and only have 3 in
five years.  However, I believe most librarians do not normally order a book
that can circulate and have a copy in the genealogy section that do not
circulate.  Why hasn't this changed?  Why are genealogists and historians
often penalized by having to come to the library while people reading
fiction,  travel books, or watching DVDs, etc., can check items out and take
them home?  Can you imagine if all the cookbooks in a library were
considered a special collection and everybody who wanted to look for recipes
had to sit in a special place and use them?  Well, I know it seems
ridiculous, but I think collection development librarians should take a new
look at having lots of popular items circulate as well as be housed in a
genealogy area.

I think special collections should stay in tact.  By allowing people to use
some materials at home, I think it would increase use of the collection
because they would get interested in the subject matter.  We do most of our
programs at the branches so that people are happy with being close to home
and parking for free.

 

Jane Johnson

Librarian / Carolina Room

Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg Co.

 

 

 

 

 

  _____  

From: Mary Van Orsdol [mailto:MvanO at ci.carlsbad.ca.us] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 6:42 PM
To: genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
Subject: [Genealib] Declining use of collection

 

Over the past 5 years, we have seen a decline in the number of researchers
who come in to use the Carlsbad City (CA) Library Genealogy Collection. I
would like to know if other genealogy departments have seen declines in
usage. And, I would like to know about programs, publicity, or other efforts
taken to increase usage.

 

Thank you.

 

Mary Van Orsdol
Genealogy Librarian
Carlsbad City Library
1250 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(760) 434-2930
mvano at ci.carlsbad.ca.us <mailto:mvano at ci.carlsbad.ca.us> 

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