[Genealib] Inhouse Genealogy Consultations

[Genealogy Reference Librarian]

Hello,

At the Mid-Continent Genealogy & Local History Branch (Independence, 
MO) we have been doing individual "appointments with a genealogy 
expert" for about a year. The experts are staff members and patrons 
who have been screened for their knowledge and teaching/researching 
ability. The non-staff experts donate their time.

Two of them (German and Irish) have regularly scheduled days once a 
month. The others are scheduled as needed (French, Scandinavian, 
Italian, American Brick Walls, Computer Programs and Heirloom 
Preservation). I wasn't able to find a Canadian specialist in our 
area, but two women in Quebec have agreed to give one hour 
consultations for free to our patrons who contact them. I'm looking 
for a Mexican/Spanish expert now.

We set up an area with Internet access, forms and helping aides for 
the subject matter being discussed. We try to place them where they 
are undisturbed by the other activities in the library.

We don't charge for the 45-minute sessions. They are part of our on-
going education mission. The participants, both experts and patrons, 
have wonderful comments about the program. Both individuals 
appreciate the uninterupted time they are able to devote to a 
research question.

If you have any questions about the program, you can reach me at 
ge_ref at mcpl.lib.mo.us or 816-252-7228.

Angela McComas
Program Director
Research Assistant--
Diana Watkins, Genealogy Reference Librarian
Mid-Continent Public Library
ge_ref at mcpl.lib.mo.us  -=-  http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us
Unless explicitly attributed, the opinions expressed are personal.