[Genealib] donated items from the Internet

[Susan Scouras]

We put this type of material into our Surname Files, simple file folders labeled with a family surname in which we collect newspaper clippings, brief family histories (less than 15 pages), family tree charts, magazine articles, etc.  Some of the items are added by our staff (primarily newspaper clippings of family reunions, profiles of individuals, 50th wedding anniversaries, etc.), while others are donated items such as you described that don't fit in our book collection (we bind manuscripts of 50 pages or more and catalog them) or pamphlet collection (15 to 50 pages of manuscript that can be titled and cataloged).  Each piece is simply labeled "Surname File--Surname" and a list of the surnames available is kept at the Reference Desk.  We do not catalog anything in the Surname File--it is simply a catchall folder that patrons can go through in hopes of finding something relevant to their family.  
 
One of the side benefits is this gives us a place to put the "misfits" that patrons want to donate, such as photocopies of photographs that we can not accept for our photograph collection and photocopies of single chapters from books, so we are able to avoid hurt feelings, plus give all of our patrons an opportunity to find something about a family member they probably wouldn't locate otherwise.  
 
A staff member is currently "cleaning up" the files.  Once she is done, she will post a list of the available files on our Website.  She may include a list of the articles in each folder at the time of the initial posting, but will not be updating folder contents after that.
 
Susan Scouras
Librarian 
West Virginia Archives and History Library
susan.scouras at wvculture.org
 
 

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu on behalf of Peggy Morphew 
	Sent: Thu 4/19/2007 11:58 AM 
	To: Librarians Serving Genealogists 
	Cc: 
	Subject: [Genealib] donated items from the Internet
	
	
	Hello,
	 
	We are receiving donations of 'organized' materials printed from the Internet, most of which are Descendancy Charts and extractions from books pertaining to a particular surname. The time and effort put into these is significant and we do not want to 'minimize' our members' desire to add to our collection. 
	 
	How do others deal with this?  We are a private, membership supported facility.  We do not accept donations of complete books that have been photocopied from the original because of copyright laws.
	 
	Thanks,
	Peggy Morphew
	Volunteer Library Administrator
	West Valley Genealogical Society
	Youngtown, Arizona

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