In this post, we offer advice on how to do family history research using the materials available at your local library.
Without a question, a genealogist’s bucket list includes seeing some of the world’s largest libraries. You could have fantasies about visiting the FamilySearch Library (previously the Family History Library) in Salt Lake City to conduct research. Or perhaps you’re considering travelling to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where you’ll spend a week at the Allen County Public Library’s Genealogy Centre.
But what about the neighbourhood library? Even a tiny neighbourhood library has a lot to offer the researcher, as not all of us are fortunate enough to live close to a major library collection.
Your neighbourhood library
Local libraries make up for any deficiencies in on-site collections with other services. What do researchers get from these libraries?
- loan between libraries
- library partnerships
- databases with subscriptions
- events
- meeting rooms
- expertise
Let’s look at these services and see how a genealogist might benefit from them.
Collaborations between libraries and interlibrary loans
Not all libraries have the books you’re looking for. They could still be able to assist you in obtaining what you want nevertheless.
Through the interlibrary loan service, your library can request a loan from another library on your behalf. After they receive it, you can use it internally or check it out as you normally would from your library (if the lending library permits). You will now have access to a larger selection than what is available in your neighbourhood library. For further information, check with your library as each one has various policies about interlibrary loans, including costs.
The library can get a book for you in addition to through interlibrary loan. I get free access to all of the books in that system because my local library is a part of a bigger county system. I may pick a book and my neighbourhood library will receive it gratis.
Last but not least, remember to ask about eBooks. Your library could take part in an eBook delivery service like Libby, which offers the ability to digitally borrow books and magazines to read on your computer, smartphone, or e-reader. To use the service, download the necessary app and input the barcode from your library card. You may look up books and magazines to borrow after downloading the app and entering your library card information. Consult your neighbourhood library if you need assistance.
Make sure to discuss the books you require and how to obtain them with your neighbourhood librarian. They might know where you can look to find what you need.
Databases with Subscriptions
To track for references to their ancestors, family historians use a variety of personal subscription services like GenealogyBank. From genealogy to homework assistance, libraries have subscriptions to serve the requirements of their neighbourhood. You might not have access to some information using your own subscriptions, but these databases can help you discover it. A page outlining all of the subscription websites and the information they offer may be found on the majority of library websites. Be careful to go at the entire list rather than just the ones that mention family history. Other databases that contain historical, social, or local information might be useful for your research.
Events and Conference Rooms
What activities does your neighbourhood library plan? It could be a fantastic idea to network and learn more by attending author presentations, seminars, and local history events. The majority of libraries maintain an online calendar of their activities, both physical and virtual. Check those out to see if anything catches your attention. Be careful to suggest events that both you and others would find interesting.
You might not consider that you require a conference room, but the library is a terrific spot to sneak away some quiet time for reading, contemplation, and writing. Consider setting aside some time to conduct research in a quiet area of the library or a study room that has been reserved.
Expertise
We go to libraries for the books, magazines, microforms, and other materials they have, but they also have something much more valuable: knowledge. To learn how to solve problems, librarians attend libraries. They get the ability to research anything. Although Google is available to you, your librarian is more qualified to ask a research question and discover the answer. You cannot find that analysis by performing an internet search. Additionally, librarians are well-read and have personal interests, such as ancestry, that can aid them in finding solutions you might not have thought of.
Visit a library!
When did you last visit your neighbourhood library? It’s time to use it for more than just book checkouts (although I do that every week). Make the most of your upcoming trip to the library.