[Genealib] Genealogy periodical usage

[Ross, Nancy M]

Nancy,
     I've not done a formal survey yet, but plan to now that Polaris is
up and running.  I have, however, done an informal survey by going to
each periodical title and looking at the issues.  As a result, we are
canceling some of our subscriptions (or not renewing) for both area and
instructional periodicals.  I hate doing it, but both room and money are
at a premium!  
    I've also found that most of our instructional materials are not
circulating.  I've transferred a few to the main library and discarded
others, but there are some I just
can't see not having.  The main problem seems, to me, to be that patrons
are only browsing and the majority don't seem to be willing to get down
into the real (tough and
productive) research.  It's almost as if we have "true" researchers who
look for any and
all records on the people/place/time, then there are the "moderate"
researchers who do work at their research but don't "have time" to go
into true record digging; then there are those who only want the fast
and easy (internet) route.  I have very few "true"
researchers and I love them, even when I'm going crazy trying to answer
their questions.  The "moderate" researchers category is going away and
the fast and easy
route is flourishing.

Nan Ross
Carnegie Librarian
Carnegie Center for Brazos Valley History