[Genealib] Inhouse Genealogy Consultations / Genealogical Studies Toronto

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Subject: [Genealib] Inhouse Genealogy Consultations
we are considering expanding our genealogy programming at the  Halifax
Public Libraries, here in Nova Scotia.

Hi Joanne,
 
I work in the Local History Room at the Bloomingdale Public Library in  
Bloomingdale, Illinois.  We have a program called "Genealogy Club" on the  fourth 
Thursday of every month in one of our meeting rooms where we have  computers 
set up to do, mainly, records searching and Internet genealogy (with  
instruction for newbies to advanced) - but we also help and lecture with  respect to 
on-site or archival genealogy.  
 
When I came to work at the library 2 years ago, there wasn't a genealogist  
working there.  It was a great fit with my background and expanded -  at my 
request - to include 30 - 45 minute sessions with patrons or anyone  interested 
in genealogy that was having trouble (brickwalls or "what to do  next") during 
the hours when I was on staff during the week.  It has been a  great success 
and patron feedback has been wonderful.  I must say, though,  that if you are 
going to offer this service that the key to success is to let it  be known that 
you offer it, through a library newsletter or the  press.  We did both and 
the surprising response was generally, "We had no  idea that this was even 
available".  It boosted the sessions throughout the  week and boosted attendance in 
the club as well. 
 
On a side note, in response to another post - I am currently taking the  
Librarianship course through Genealogical Studies and I've found it to be  
challenging and a wonderful experience.  The instructors are all certified  and just 
wonderful.  The individual classes included in the Librarianship  course last 
about ten weeks (there are 12 classes in all) and cover  pertinent topics 
related to what you would need to know for your collection at  the library as well 
as handling patron requests.
 
Leslie Drewitz
Bloomingdale Public Library
Genealogy / Local History
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