[Genealib] Re: No more remote access to HQ

[Karen Stanley]

The situation in Texas is similar to California.  All public libraries have access to HQ through the state library's TexShare system; however, some smaller library systems lack the technical infrastructure to support home access to their databases.  The big city library systems have waived their non-resident library card fees for Texas residents, but they do require an in-person visit with a photo ID in order to issue a library card to anyone.
   
  Local genealogy societies can always sponsor efforts to raise money to enable their local library system to provide HQ access, but in the meantime surely folks can spread the word about the city libraries.  Even folks who live in rural areas get to visit their nearest city at least once a year - for shopping or to catch a plane or something. Maybe folks can organize a genealogy field trip - combine a visit to a major genealogy library or archive with an opportunity to get a library card.
   
  Karen Stanley
  Houston, TX

Rollie Littlewood <rklittle at wisc.edu> wrote:
  At 08:47 PM on 6/16/2006 Laura Spurrier wrote:
>Dick Eastman's blog implied that all public libraries in Calif. offer access to Heritage Quest.  I checked the link he offered to a list of such libraries and found it covered perhaps 25% of the state.  The rest of us are out of luck.  My local public library certainly doesn't offer it.  Perhaps coverage is better back east?

Two comments:

1) If one goes strictly from the list on < http://www.eogen.com/HeritageQuestOnline>, it would be technically correct that all residents of California can get free in-home access to HeritageQuest Online. However, as I scan that list, all of the California library systems mentioned require an onsite visit to get a library card.

2) Much more important, however, is recognition that the list on < http://www.eogen.com/HeritageQuestOnline> of library systems offering this access is far from complete. This list is a "wiki," not something maintained by Dick himself. There is no claim anywhere that it is complete. Rather, the list consists ONLY of items submitted by registered viewers of the Encyclopedia of Genealogy. How do I know that? I noticed a few days ago that the public library system which serves my home area and which has offered in-home access to HeritageQuest Online for several years is not in the list. Trying to be a good netizen, I sent a message to Dick Eastman asking him to add "my" library. His response was to clue me in about how the Encyclopedia works.

The bottom lines here:
1) Recognize that this list in question is far from complete
2) If your library system provides such access but is not on this list, consider adding it yourself.

    Rollie
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