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Librarian's Guide to Helping Patrons © Sharon Marie Centanne, 1998-2007
GENEALOGY LIBRARIES |
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USING THE CITY PUBLIC LIBRARIES
City Libraries use Dewey Decimals
The local city libraries are of varying help. Any good library should have many basic books to help patrons seeking genealogical information, and plenty of genealogy reference books as well.
Encourage your patrons to become familiar with the Dewey Decimal numbers for the genealogy how-to-books: 929.1, and to read as many of these as possible if they are unfamiliar with basic avenues of research. It is also helpful to learn the Dewey Decimal numbers for the states being researched. For instance, it is important to learn as much as possible about the geography of any particular area being researched, as well at its history. Books in the 917 area describe the various United States.
Use the Reference Area
Patrons should be encouraged to use the Reference area of your library. The librarians shouldusually be available to help, but should do in-depth research for the patron. Encourage patrons to ask general questions about locations of particular types of reference materials, and be sure there is plenty of signage to help patrons find needed materials quickly.
Public Libraries Often Have Genealogy Sections
Most mid-size and large public libraries now have a Genealogy section or room. Sometimes it is called Special Collections, and may include local history material as well. The size and extent to the individual library holdings varies based on the budget, interest, and location of the library.
GENEALOGY COLLECTIONS IN LIBRARIES AROUND THE COUNTRY
Many libraries around the country have very good genealogical collections. Among these are:
- The Newberry Library in Chicago, IL
- The Anderson Public Library of Anderson, IN
- The New York Public Library New York City, NY
- The Boston Public Library Boston, MA
- The Buffalo Public Library Buffalo, NY
- The Largo Public Library Special Collections, Largo, FL
As more and more libraries add genealogical resources to their permanent collections, patrons may be able to find good genealogies close to home. Continual requests for genealogical information encourges libraries to add this type of information to their collections. If you get a lot of requests for genealogy related materials, please consider expanding and updating your collection.
Vacationing genealogists may travel near any of these libraries, and by all means should use them. Sometimes they canwrite to these libraries for help or suggestions, as long as your questions are brief. Please answer genealogy questions from distant researchers and those traveling your way, and your genealogy department will grow!
PRIVATE GENEALOGY LIBRARIES
There are also several private libraries that contain lots of information about Irish-Americans, and the Irish themselves. The Andersen Library in Gulfport, Mississippi is good. Also, Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, had a head librarian named F. Wilbur Helmbold, who had been Director of Genealogy and Historical Research since 1965. He is author of Tracing Your Ancestry, another good how-to book on general genealogy.
LDS Family History Centers
The LDS Genealogical Society and its Family History Center Libraries are based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They have branches all over the world where microlfilmed records can be ordered. LDS has microfilmed many English records, Irish records, Italian records, American records, and records from around the world. Millions of records are available, and more are being filmed on a regular basis.
New England Historic Genealogy Society Library
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The NEHGS has a long history of publishing genealogy books and materials, and has done extensive
research on genealogies relevant to the New England area.
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