I'd say that you've been very fortunate to always have Library help 'on the
spot'.. We've been traveling and researching for many years, and, believe
me, it's sometimes a 'toss up' as to whether Library Gen. Depts. are helpful
or not. The same holds true in Court Houses. That doesn't deter me!!
Not genealogy related, however, I took an 'Assertiveness Training' Class at
Ft. Collins, Co. many years ago -- and I've certainly had the opportunity to
use those things I was taught........smile.. Genealogy research seems to be
the 'thorn in the side' -- 'burr under the saddle', ad nauseum -- for
SOME
Libraries and Court Houses. However, the pleasant experiences have
outweighed the unpleasant.
My first experience of being 'screened' by a law officer at one of the
Indiana Court Houses, blew me away.. Having to check my material at the
front counter, and using a pencil provided by the Library only, also got my
attention.. Unfortunately, many people doing research have the nerve to
STEAL pictures and pages of valuable information. So they are now locked up
and we researchers are treated somewhat as thieves..
One 'bad apple' can spoil the whole barrel, as it were. Being patient and
learning to smile will always benefit us. No kind deed goes unnoticed!! So
don't give up.. Regards, Nancee
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From: Marian Dunlap
Date: 01/18/07 12:18:16
To: infrankli(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [INFRANKLI] GENEALOGY HELP.
"Iggy 29" -- If you received good help at the Library in Brookville you
were in luck! We made one trip there quite a few years ago and when I asked
for help in the genealogical section a lady came from another room. She
said she was helping another client and just waved around the section and
told me to look for myself! This was the first and only time I ever tried
to research in a library that no one could be bothered with giving more help
than that! Needless to say we didn't stay long and tried researching at the
Court House. They were extra busy at the Court House that day but took time
to show me the books that I could look at myself! We had planned to stay
over that night and spend two days in Brookville, but we left that afternoon
and headed home and never bothered to go back. Marian
Whenever possible it can pay to contact either the library or the
genealogical/historical society in the county of research and inquire as to
their policy of assisting researchers. In this county our Society has
knowledgeable "helpers" on duty at the library at some scheduled times each
week. If you can't make it at one of their scheduled times it may be
possible for one of those "helpers" to come in when you will be there. I
know first-hand how much more family information researchers can find if
there is someone available to help find the right books that contain the
needed information, as I have been one of those "local helpers". I agree
that it behooves researchers entering libraries and court houses to
smile.....smile.......smile.... and then remember to say "thank you" for
every bit of assistance.
Marian