[Genealib] email mailing lists

[Laura Carter]

We have people register to use the Heritage Room and on that form I have 
2 boxes that they can check.  One to receive the Library's newsletter 
and the other to receive information of possible interest to 
genealogists and family historians/  I take the forms and enter the 
names into the mail lists.  Sometimes people call and ask me to add them 
to the list because they have gotten something forwarded from someone 
else. 

Since I have no clue as to how many addresses each group can take (nor 
do I really know what I am doing)  I have multiple lists
titled like Genealogy A-B, Genealogy C, etc.  For the library's 
newsletter, I forward those names to our PR coordinator. 

I try to remember to include a note to recipients encouraging them to 
forward and  I try to send notices about all our events, as well as 
workshops, meetings, etc anywhere nearby.  I also do national meetings 
and conferences so people will know about them and when they are. 
Somehow if someone from here know about them, they seem more doable.  
The other thing I try to include dis information on new databases, 
articles in new periodicals that they should read, etc.  It takes lots 
of time, and generates lots of questions. but people seem to feel that 
because of the interaction we are reaching out to them. 

I get comments from people all the time that they really appreciate the 
info and that it is helpful.  Periodically, someone will email me that 
information has been helpful.  Sometimes about a specific things I sent 
and they will tell me their success story.  Other people ask to be 
removed because they just get too much email and want to get back in 
control.

As long as the feedback is positive I will keep doing it.  I also try to 
compile a list for the next month's upcoming events including 
registration deadline for things that may be the following month.  I try 
to send this out the end of the month for instance I hope to send the 
list out for June on May 30 or 31. IF I have time, I try to send 
reminders copied and pasted from the master list each week.

Sorry to be so wordy.

Laura


Susan Scouras wrote:
> 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
>  
>  
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> genealib mailing list
> genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
> http://mailman.acomp.usf.edu/mailman/listinfo/genealib

-- 
Laura W. Carter
Heritage Room Librarian
Athens-Clarke County Library
2025 Baxter Street
Athens, Georgia 30606

Voice - 706 613-3650 Ext. 350
FAX -	706 613-3660

lcarter at arlsmail.org