[Genealib] Genealogy questions asked at the reference desk

[Elizabeth Clemons]

Dear Connie,
 
I am a reference librarian at a public library in Indiana.  Our library has a local history/genealogy room, but no full-time librarian who staff the room.  As such, we often get genealogy questions at the reference desk.  Be sure to mention that one of the most interesting aspects of reference work is the variety of questions we can answer for patrons.  Sometimes even the most mundane question (in our opinion), when answered can make someone's day.  
 
I tend to get quite a few technical questions.  For example, patrons want to know how to use the microfilm machines and usually want to print as well.  We also get requests for obituaries, vital records (birth, marriage and death).  I refer the patrons to the county health department for information about vital records.  Patrons are also curious about HeritageQuest and Ancestry Library Edition.  We offer training for both of these online genealogical resources.  
 
Hope this information helped you.
 
Take care,
Elizabeth Clemons
Reference Librarian

________________________________

From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu on behalf of Connie Kuntz-Thorsen
Sent: Tue 6/20/2006 3:43 PM
To: genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
Subject: [Genealib] Genealogy questions asked at the reference desk



Genealogy questions asked at the reference desk (hope this isn't a duplicate post) -

Hopefully as librarians in the field you might be able to share your expertise. I am teaching a genealogy reference course this summer and since I am not in the field can only give the students the "academic" view of genealogy research. Would you be able to share questions commonly asked about genealogy at the reference desk? Do you have any books/websites/etc. that you constantly recommend? Any obscure sources? I'd like to give them questions to help them discover what they may be faced with as reference librarians dealing with genealogy. If you have any suggestions you could offer I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks for your help.

 

 

Connie Thorsen

Associate Professor

St. John's University

 

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