[Genealib] Genealogy How To Classes for Library Customers

[P.M. McLaughlin]

We offer our Online Genealogy class 3 times/year.  It is held in the computer lab and is hands-on, so we limit the attendance.  I have had as few as two people show up (turns out there was a horrible traffic accident at the intersection nearest to the library blocking the road) and as many as nineteen.  I'd say the attendees are mostly in the 50 and over age group, though I have seen younger.  A staff member (me) gives the class.  The class is on our website, in our quarterly newsletter, and notices go to the local papers.  I also announce the class at the monthly meeting of the county genealogical society.

Pam McLaughlin
Fremont Public Library
Mundelein IL


--- On Wed, 7/23/08, William Blohm <wblohm at gailborden.info> wrote:

> From: William Blohm <wblohm at gailborden.info>
> Subject: RE: [Genealib] Genealogy How To Classes for Library Customers
> To: "'Librarians Serving Genealogists'" <genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu>
> Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 3:12 PM
> I have held classes on Ancestry and Heritage Quest very
> sporadically on
> demand only, generally once a year or less, on average.
> They are held in our
> community rooms where our local genealogical society meets.
> Average
> attendance has been declining. Several years ago I would
> have 40-50
> attendees; the last one I did (nearly 2 years ago) had only
> 28 attendees.
> The attendees run the spectrum from elementary to excellent
> computer skills.
> Average age I would estimate at 65-75.
> 
>  
> 
> The class has been mentioned in our local newspaper and in
> the library's
> newsletter. I (staff) am the presenter.
> 
>  
> 
> William R. Blohm
> 
> Reference Librarian & Collection Development Manager
> 
> Gail Borden Public Library District
> 270 N. Grove Ave.1
> Elgin, Il  60120
> 
> 
>  
> 
> Subject: [Genealib] Genealogy How To Classes for Library
> Customers
> 
>  
> 
> If any of you are offering classes on using Heritage Quest
> Online, Ancestry
> Library Edition, Digital Sanborn Maps and other
> genealogy/history related
> online databases would you please tell me how often classes
> are scheduled,
> if they are offered at locations other than where you Local
> History Room is
> located and the average attendance for these classes.  Also
> please indicate
> if your customers have basic computer skills, and the
> average age of class
> attendees.
> 
> Please tell me how these classes are marketed and if the
> presenter is
> usually staff or volunteer. 
> Thanks!_______________________________________________
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