[Genealib] RE: Trends and major issues in the field of genealogy (consolidated)

[Marcia Johnson]

I was asked to consolidate the responses to my request so here goes:

 

Hello,
 
I am completing an assignment on professional development for the genealogy
librarian. One of the questions I have relates to the trends and major
issues that exist in this field. I was wondering if some of your members
could assist me in answering this question. From what I can see, it seems
that there is a concern in reducing number of employees in reference work
but I am not sure what else is going. I will, of course, continue to peruse
the lists to see if I find any further information but any assistance you
can all provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

Responses

 

Trends and major issues seem to be largely related to technology. MP-3
format books and other take aways are growing. Self-check out machines.
RFID of course continues to improve and grow in usefulness. Programming
for those aging baby boomers is a hot button. 
 
Tracy E. Luscombe
Genealogy Librarian
McKinney Memorial Public Library
 
 
A big trend I'm seeing is digitizing.  Libraries are digitizing parts of
their collection and making them available on the Internet.  In Texas we
have the Portal to Texas website.   Many libraries, museums, etc are adding
the digitized collection to this site.  Here's the link:
http://texashistory.unt.edu/
 
There are links like this in most states.
 
Cheryl Smith
Public Services Librarian Senior
Harrington Library
 
 
My comments on the subject of trends and major issues.
 
Today, October 25, 2007, the National Archives Records Administration
(NARA)at St Louis announced the release of more than six million records of
World War II veterans. This is going to create a new demand for the services
of genealogy librarians and specialists.
 
In the not too distant future, the year 2012 the 1940 census records will
become available.  Again the demand for the assistance of librarians and
specialists certainly will not diminish.
 
In my opinion, every major research, archive library or museum should have a
Memorial Section for the records of veterans of all the wars. 
 
Printed and distributed records of all the states can and will preserve this
nation's heritage.
 
Paul W. Wittmer
subvetpaul at aol.com
<http://mailman.acomp.usf.edu/mailman/listinfo/genealib>    
 
 
What I see going on is the democratizing of genealogy.  It used to be that
researchers had to drive great distances in order to conduct research.  Or
else they waited daily for the postman's delivery.   Today, researchers can
conduct an extensive amount of research online with almost instant
gratification.
 
The consequence of this process will continue to become clearer as we move
further into the digital endgame.  I see library usage changing as well.
Genealogical research will continue, but will be a more independent activity
in the future.  The Muskogee library does not count in-house usage of
research material.  Only books being checked out are counted.  Someday I
expect there will be a greater emphasis on libraries serving as portals to
expensive databases.  Maybe, it will count as much to log onto one of the
databases as it does today to check out a book.
 
Library functions may go through an upheaval as administrators struggle to
maintain relevance in each community.  In Muskogee I used to see a large
number of high school students working on reports.  That is less common
today.  In a similar fashion, there is greater emphasis on child literacy.
The new focus arises from the awareness that parents are less inclined to
bring young children to the library.
 
The democratizing means that there are now a lot of libraries that
offer plenty of the basic resources and many specialized ones.  When a
researcher wants a book on county marriages, many times it is available
closer than the state capital.  If a local institution does not have the
specific item desired, a regional one often does.
 
I hope this helps,
Wally Waits
 
 
I agree that there are several important developments in local history and
genealogy librarianship - and the mentions of the following are significant:
 
1. digitizing (a huge one - I am giving a dozen talks onm that this year
alone)
2. veteran's recognition - especially as the centennial of the Civil War
approaches, and WW I soon after that)
3. programming for an opportunities for boomers to volunteer
4. tech savvy. I deal with students every day that know as much as I do. I
also deal with people my own age who haven't a clue about various technical
things (and that's OK) but who take enormous amounts of time to  accomplish
what a teenager knows right off.
5. entrenched resistance to change ("a Flickr account? MP3's? Youtube?
Digital recording? Isn't that all porn? [spare me...]
 
OTOH, a big factor is the aging of the workforce. Many of us are (shhhh...)
nearing retirement age (not that we want to, but at least in my case are too
decrepit to continue) - and there are hiring freezes on all over. People are
being let go in budget crunches. What does a library do where there are no
staff under 50, and newer/younger staff cannot be hired?
 
Thank you all again
Marcia

 

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