[Genealib] Declining use of collection

[Rhonda Stoffer]

We have done both. I have been able to build on a great collection. We
have completed indexing all obits from 1867 to the present, we have
microfilm copies of birth and death records from 1882 to 1980 and are
completing indexes for those. We have microfilmed marriage records from
1831 to 2004 and are nearing the end of having all of those indexed. I
have expanded the basic collection from the neighboring counties and
have information from all counties in Indiana and am continuing to
purchase new materials from Indiana counties. I have started to expand
into Ohio and North Carolina. We are nearing the end of a project to put
our indexes on the web, hope to soon have it available to the public.
This database will include all obits, death, marriages, births, and
cemeteries in the county when completed. I'm sure when the database goes
live, we will be even busier. 
 
Another thing that has helped is I check the Rootsweb message board for
Grant county daily and answer any queries that I can on the board. I
will check our indexes and let people know if their information is
available and refer them to the Ask the Indiana Room link on our webpage
to request copies of documents if they want them. I hear comments from
patrons that they have seen my posts and thank me for taking the time to
reply to queries and help people. 
 

Rhonda Stoffer 
Head of Indiana History and Genealogy Services 
Marion Public Library 

 

________________________________

From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
[mailto:genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu] On Behalf Of Susan
Scouras
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 10:16 AM
To: Librarians Serving Genealogists
Subject: RE: [Genealib] Declining use of collection


We receive exactly the same compliments, and you are right that word of
mouth about the helpfulness of your staff will bring people in and keep
them coming back.  I am betting that you have either added significant
resources to your collection and/or have made your collections more
accessible through your indexing projects, and that has helped bring in
patrons.  
 
 
Susan Scouras
Librarian
WV Archives and History Library
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston, WV  25305-0300
(304) 558-0230, Ext. 742
 

	-----Original Message-----
	From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
[mailto:genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu] On Behalf Of Rhonda
Stoffer
	Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 10:02 AM
	To: Librarians Serving Genealogists
	Subject: RE: [Genealib] Declining use of collection
	Importance: Low
	
	
	We have seen an increase here at Marion. I've been head of the
department since March 2001. According to statistics from Jan 2001 to
the present, we have increased visitors every year except 2004, when we
were down very slightly. This year so far we have been above our monthly
average of visitors every month except November. So far we are 10% above
last years numbers, even without counting December visitors. We do
little outside advertising, I speak at a couple community groups a year
when asked, and we try to do 2 beginning genealogy classes a year, which
are well attended. Most of our increase comes from word of mouth. The
staff in the Indiana Room provides fantastic service to patrons. We are
constantly being told that we are friendly, helpful and that we have
wonderful resources, not just on Grant county, but surrounding counties.
Patrons tell us that when they go to other libraries, staff there are
not helpful, some libraries have all the books locked up and staff do
not want to be bothered to get books out for them. We try to be very
user friendly and are very successful. We once had a elderly couple
drive here from over 100 miles south of us because someone told them to
go to Marion, they will help you there. We provide email, phone and mail
queries and those are increasing. We have increased our number of
volunteers and they are very busy helping us to complete indexes. 
	 

	Rhonda Stoffer 
	Head of Indiana History and Genealogy Services 
	Marion Public Library 

	 

________________________________

	From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
[mailto:genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu] On Behalf Of Mary Van
Orsdol
	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

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