This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Yi.2ADE/525
Message Board Post:
My name is Larry Clark and I am the head of the Genealogy Deaprtment of the Porter County
Public Library System. I am very proud of the efforts of my staff consisting of Christine
Hough,Patricia Walker,Janet Burden and Carol Dobson.
We have developed one of the best collections of genealogical materials of any library of
our size in the country.
It is a matter of pride that we enjoy serving the public with courteous and helpful
assistance.
It has been a very trying time for all of us as we have endured budget cuts which limit
what materials we can obtain and also handle very difficult staff shortages which are very
stressful.
Despite all those obstacles most patrons have not noticed any differences in our services
as we have worked very hard in trying to overcome the handicaps we have faced.
All our staff have individual duties assigned to them which take a lot of time and effort
but then our next obligation is dealing with the residents of our community and the
patrons who visit our department.
When we do have some spare time we tend to the letters we receive in the mail and the
many internet requests that come in.
We work hard on these requests as in many ways we start to treat the families that we are
searching almost as if they are our own families and I am positive that 99% of the people
who contact us are satisfied with the help we offer them.
Because we get such positive feedback about our efforts then it is upsetting to us when
someone does offer a complaint.
I know that it is impossible to please everyone and will work hard to correct any faults
in our service but also feel that if anyone is not pleased with the results we have
provided them that there could be other reasons for not giving them what they wan.
People who contact libraries should have a knowledge of how to do genealogical research
and know how to request information and realize that resources vary from place to place.
They should also understand that there are limits to what a library can provide and if the
information doesn't exist then it doesn't exist as some internet users honestly
feel that if they post a question that if they stare at their monitor long enough that an
answer will always miraculously appear.
People should also realize that some of the assumptions they make are somewhat
ridiculous and they shouldn't get angry at others for not proving whatever incredible
theories that they have discovered like their grandma had dark hair and high cheekbones so
she had to be an Indian or because their mother's maiden name was Hood means that they
were related to Little Red Riding Hood.
I don't think this page should be used for ranting and raving as it is a way to share
information but when bad comments are said about our department then I feel obligated to
respond.
I really appreciate the comments of others who have posted positive remarks concerning our
lbrary and the good service we provide. Thank you for your support as you truly know the
integrity and devotion of the team that makes up our department.
Yours truly, Larry Clark
Genealogy Department
Porter County Public Linrary System