[Genealib] Genealogical periodical usage

[Susan Scouras]

Ours are used very little, although a few staff members read several on
a regular basis and recommend specific articles to the rest of the
staff.  I have also promoted them, and have even reviewed a magazine or
specific articles in our newsletter to encourage use.  We do not have
the space to display our Reading Room periodicals in a more visible
location.  They are housed on the library shelves near our newspapers
(rows of flat shelves for newspapers and newsletters, plus half a dozen
more colorful magazines displayed in upright acrylic holders) and are
only found by those specifically looking for them.  We have more
periodicals housed in closed stacks that are not found as often as they
should be because few people use our online catalog.  We have several
surname society newsletters that researchers of those names should be
using more often, but we don't have room for them in the Reading Room.  
 
Susie
 
Susan Scouras
Librarian
WV Archives and History Library
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston, WV  25305-0300
(304) 558-0230, Ext. 742
 

	-----Original Message-----
	From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
[mailto:genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu] On Behalf Of Nancy
Maxwell
	Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 12:38 PM
	To: genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
	Subject: [Genealib] Genealogical periodical usage
	
	
	Happy New Year, Listmembers:
	 
	I'm interested in knowing how much your bound and electronic
genealogical periodicals are being used. I've been a cheerleader for
such use for years, and have even presented an extensive, intense
program on their value and location, plus availability of indexes, many
of which are web-based. For all this, our usage is very low. How much
does collection size play a part on usage? Does the presence or lack of
an index make a difference?
	 
	I realize I can't make patrons use these items <g>, and there
are no guarantees that the information they want is in them, but they
could be missing out on something significant if they don't even take a
look.
	 
	I can post a summary if there's interest in one.
	 
	Thanks,
	 
	 
	Nancy Kouyoumjian Maxwell, Genealogy Librarian
	Frances Pittman Malcolm Genealogy Room
	Grapevine Public Library
	1201 Municipal Way
	Grapevine, TX 76051
	Voice: 817-410-3429
	Fax: 817-410-3084
	E-mail: nmaxwell at grapevinetexas.gov
	 
	"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for
curiosity."  ~Dorothy Parker

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