Libraries are AWESOME -- are you taking advantage of all that your library (and the library in a locale you are researching) have to offer?

source: Google image collection of libraries

As a recent article states – Libraries are AWESOME!  Read the article Libraries are Surprisingly Popular, and Oh Yeah, They Also Make You Awesome.  I found it neat that one of the conclusions drawn has to do with finding and processing information (doesn’t that sound like what we genealogists do constantly?!?!)

LIBRARIES ARE MORE RELEVANT THAN EVER

Maybe the most surprising data point to emerge from the Pew Research study is that most library users are technologically engaged. That may sound counter-intuitive, but the truth is that in the age of information, places where information can be organized and contextualized are key.

Take a few minutes and jot down what your local library does for you and then you as a genealogist and family historian.  I quickly came up with this “short” list (not meant to be comprehensive and what do you expect when I spent about 30 seconds creating it).

·    Access to Interlibrary loan (ILL)

·    Remote access to electronic databases

·    On-site access to specialized electronic databases

·    Availability of books, journals, newspapers and more

·    Ability to order and then view Familysearch microfilm

·    Access to local manuscript and related resources (in person or via research requests)

·    Access to digitized collections, indexes, finding aids for local history resources 

·    Insights from a professional who specializes in information acquisition and interpretation

·    Options to attend programs – historical, genealogical, skills acquisition and much more

·    Many more services that benefit genealogists at your local library.

Whenever I research a new-to-me locale, I always check out the local library, nearest college library and then state library -- they all have so much to offer!  

As already stated libraries are awesome!

What makes your local library awesome for local genealogists and family historians?

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