[Genealib] Genealogy Room Set-up * & online catalogs *

[Brannan, Joyce]

John sounds like he is very professional in his approach to genealogy research.  Unfortunately, that is not normally the case.  We get people in here all the  time who haven't bothered to check anything before just popping in.   The vast majority of the people looking for their family history are poorly prepared amateurs.    Our archivist frequently just takes the down the names of what the researcher is looking for and sends the people to me for lessons in how to use the LDS resources, online materials, and Ancestry.  It is sad to have people come in and ask if we have the census or vital record films for the local counties.  Especially people that live within 30 minutes or so of an LDS Family History Center.  :(
Which brings me to genealogy collection set up.  How can we meet the needs of both the casual researcher AND the serious researcher?   That is a problem in all areas of library research, not just genealogy.     I think that the best solution is to have a local history room with an extra online catalog in the room.  The actual shelving & filing systems doesn't really matter so long as it is well explained in an obvious location.   And, a dedicated cataloger who understands genealogy and is willing to take the time to add detailed contents notes.  (Can you guess what my main job is? :) )
Joyce A. Brannan
Technical Services Librarian
Julia Tutwiler Library
University of West Alabama
Livingston, AL 35470
205.652.3677
jbrannan at uwa.edu
From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu [mailto:genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu] On Behalf Of John Wylie
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 10:15 AM
To: 'treviawbeverly'; 'Librarians Serving Genealogists'
Subject: RE: [Genealib] Genealogy Room Set-up * & online ctalogs *
Without naming names, I'll expand on what web presence for Rooms can do better. First, give me, the traveler, a narrative oversight of the collection. Don't assume that I know or can intuit what you have from just your location. I recall one Room that had more material on one county in another state than it had on its local county. Most likely , the results of donations by a patron who had ancestors there. But it's the unique items that I really want to know about. When describing your collection, make sure that Google can pick up on the keywords that will help me find you. If you have the business records of a past prominent landlord, tell me. I'm likely looking for someone who rented or farmed for shares from the guy. If you have a file on the cemetery plowed under to build a WalMart, I want to know that. If I can't find that information using Google, I may not visit.
May I amend my initial post by adding three thoughts. Of course, I call ahead (thanks Joyce). With cell phones, I do that even if we decide to visit the same day. That's the wonder of research, you don't know where it's going to send you. Second, when entering the Room read the  "description" flyer before asking for help. Sometimes I have to go hunting for a Librarian  who can help me. Some Rooms aren't staffed, but I consider it essential to make staff aware that the room is being used by someone from out of town. If there's a Library or Room that isn't hurting for resources in this economy, it stands alone. Third, sign in. I often leave my business card and, depending on the client, a small cash gift.
John Wylie
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