A quick-start resource for staff serving beginning genealogists. This handbook will help librarians respond effectively to customer requests for genealogical information or assistance with family history. Starting with the initial interview, it concisely explains the genealogical research process and identifies the basic tools needed in the local library. The book provides reproducible forms, time-saving hints and includes guidance in collection development, with suggestions for libraries with different sized budgets. This book also identifies other agencies and organizations that offer assistance to genealogists. It provides contact information and describes electronic Internet resources. Suggestions are offered on how to promote greater awareness of family history resources at the library. Indexes provide access by author, subject and title.

Covering trends, issues and case studies, this collection presents 34 new essays by library professionals actively engaged in helping patrons with genealogy research across the United States. Topics include strategies for finding military and court records, mapping family migration and settlement, creating and accessing local digital services, and developing materials and instruction for patrons. Forewordist D. Joshua Taylor, host of Genealogy Roadshow and president of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, notes: "The increasing popularity of the topic requires that any librarian who encounters genealogical customers remain on the forefront of new developments in the field."

For librarians and others who guide genealogical researchers, a handbook from one who learned the skill on a sink-or-swim basis as a reference librarian at Brigham Young U. Library in the 1960s; true to his name, he swam. It covers how to help researchers get started, develop collections, use technology to find out about other collections, provide instruction for genealogists, and stay current professionally. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.

This book offers novice and experienced reference librarians an introduction to tried-and-true genealogy techniques and resources. With the help of four case studies, Simpson outlines a basic starting strategy for conducting genealogy research. Later chapters deal specifically with genealogical librarianship: how to conduct a reference interview, continuing and professional development, and basic resources every collection should have. Charts, screen shots, and examples of public documents are also included; while a series of appendices present the case studies in their entirety. Genealogy is one of the most popular hobbies in the United States, and is heavily researched in public libraries and historical repositories. Increasingly, major genealogy resources are available online at libraries through subscription databases or free on the internet. As a result, librarians face the overwhelming task of helping a large audience of genealogists cope with an ever growing flood of new resources. This book offers novice and experienced reference librarians an introduction to tried-and-true genealogy techniques and resources. With the help of four case studies, Simpson outlines a basic starting strategy for conducting genealogy research. Later chapters deal specifically with genealogical librarianship: how to conduct a reference interview, continuing and professional development, and basic resources every collection should have. Charts, screen shots, and examples of public documents are also included; while a series of appendices present the case studies in their entirety.

Genealogy: A Practical Guide for Librarians covers the big picture of genealogy and evidence-based research, plus the variety and availability of many record types, but also provides practical advice for both researchers and librarians.

The Librarian's Genealogy Notebook includes the most concise and useful information on where to begin your search for genealogical records.

“Explores ways that librarians can take advantage of the popularity of genealogy and family history research to create new services and connect with new user populations”—Library Journal “The product of professional experience and a comprehensive survey of the field, this collection of 34 essays introduces aspects of family trees and proposes means of teaching clients how to locate and coordinate data on ancestry. A straightforward tone delivers perspectives on research and application…. valuable…this compendium covers a full range of both pragmatic and open-ended instruction and outreach”—Booklist“ Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited…remarkably informative, exceptionally well organized, thoroughly ‘user friendly’ in tone and commentary…recommended”—Midwest Book Review “Valuable”—FGS Forum “Recommended”—Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews “Provides rich examples of librarians serving the local history community and genealogists while building unique collections for future generations of users.”—Corey Seeman, Director, Kresge Library Services, University of Michigan “This eclectic collection is a handy resource useful for all American genealogy librarians. Experienced editors Smallwood and Gubnitskaia gather professional essays on digitization and databases, literacy and instruction, preservation, community use, and budgeting for various populations and end-users.”—Patricia Brown, Director, Library Instruction and Information Literacy, Northwestern State University of Louisiana “Applying modernization and library best practices to digging through family histories, this collection provides fantastic ideas for the teaching and practice of genealogy research.”—Jennifer Wright Joe, Owensboro Campus Librarian, Owensboro Regional Campus Librarian, Western Kentucky University “A valuable resource for librarians and others interested in the current state of genealogical research, services, and sources.”—Erin Fennell, Reference Librarian/Associate Professor at Miami Dade College “An outstanding collection of library services available to support patrons for genealogical research”—Stanley L. Klemetson, Ph.D., Associate Dean (Retired) of the College of Technology and Computing, Utah Valley University “This book helps librarians navigate genealogy research using a variety of tools and techniques accommodating the needs of vastly different types of genealogists.”—Dr. Jeanine Huss, Associate Professor of Science Education, Western Kentucky University. Covering trends, issues and case studies, this collection presents 34 new essays by library professionals actively engaged in helping patrons with genealogy research across the United States. Topics include strategies for finding military and court records, mapping family migration and settlement, creating and accessing local digital services, and developing materials and instruction for patrons. Forewordist D. Joshua Taylor, host of Genealogy Roadshow and president of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, notes: “The increasing popularity of the topic requires that any librarian who encounters genealogical customers remain on the forefront of new developments in the field.”