[Genealib] email mailing lists

[Susan Scouras]

Since I am fond of quoting participants in this listserv and of
forwarding particularly informative posts to my superiors, I have been
asked by them to consult you on mailing list practices.  I would like to
hear from anyone who has compiled an e-mail mailing list other than one
based on patrons registered for library cards, since we are a
non-circulating library and have no formally registered patronage.  We
would place people on the list only on request and would not lift names
and addresses from our  Library registration book or from our research
request letters.  Purpose of the list:  to receive a link monthly when
our newsletter is posted online, announcements when new material is
added to the Web site, notice of workshops and meetings of specific
interest to this audience,  notice of events that did not make the
newsletter publishing deadline, etc.  The list will not be shared with
any other agency or organization.  
 
How have you gathered names for your list?  We are considering signup
sheets or forms available in the library, publicizing monthly in our
newsletter (paper copies mailed to genealogical, historical and/or
preservation organizations in West Virginia only, paper copies
distributed in Library and when staff makes presentations, and
electronic copy posted to our Web site), and a subscribe/unsubscribe
feature on our Web site with an e-mail address set up for that purpose
only.  
 
We are waiting--and waiting--for approval for the contract on a new
Integrated Library system.  Until we get it, we can not put a box or any
notices on our online catalog.  I would also like to use the ILS
circulation features to register patrons and we could potentially run a
list from there.  Problem is we need to start a list now and can't wait
the months more it will take to have a system up and running and
everyone trained to use it.
 
Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Susan Scouras
Librarian
WV Archives and History Library
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston, WV  25305-0300
(304) 558-0230, Ext. 742
 
 
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