[Genealib] Maintaining Vertical files

[Susan Scouras]

We clip local papers from all over the state and have done so off and on
for at least 50 years.  While guidelines have varied widely over the
years, currently we clip biography*; personal events* such as family
reunions, 50 or more wedding anniversary, 100 or more birthday
celebration, obituaries* of prominent or 100 or more year old persons; 5
generation family photos; history or historical interest such as
buildings, business histories or profiles, significant events (in our
area this includes floods, mine disasters); local history and genealogy
columns and articles; class reunions that identify people in photos,
give names and current home town, etc. 

Items above indicated by * are filed under surname in a separate Surname
File, others under county (and within county are subheadings by town,
history, genealogy, etc.) or subject headings in a Clipping File. We
have clipped authors, entertainers, artists, craftsmen, etc., on a hit
or miss basis, with some filed in the Surname File and others under
subject categories of actors, artists, etc. We do not and never have
clipped or indexed all obituaries on a routine basis. 

It is a little easier to decide whether to clip some of the events from
the newspapers in the counties and smaller towns since we microfilm
those ourselves.  Since the papers are not microfilmed until at least a
year's worth have accumulated, we have some historical perspective from
which to judge the long-lasting impact or interest of an event or
person.

We had some of our clippings listed on line at one point, but have
pulled that file.  In the near future we will probably post a list of
the folder titles available.  We have thousands upon thousands of
clippings, so there is no way to put all of the individual article
titles on line any more; however, clipping titles with name of newspaper
and date have been included in most of our subject bibliographies posted
on our Web site, such as entries in Notable Individuals in West Virginia
History, Notable Events in West Virginia History, County Resources.  

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 Wanda
Hunter
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 10:09 AM
To: genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
Subject: [Genealib] Maintaining Vertical files


Would those of you who maintain vertical files of local newspaper
clippings please share your guidelines for determining what items are
clipped?  Do you clip only biography and local government items?   How
do you determine what and  when items are weeded from the files?   Do
you have an online index to your vertical files?
 
Thanks,
Wanda Hunter
Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center Fayetteville, NC
28301 whunter at cumberland.lib.nc.us
 
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