Family history first contact

From SLNSW

Suggestions for assisting your family history clients

Time taken by librarians to orientate clients to the resources available and how to use the relevant equipment is a very good investment. Orientation almost always results in the client becoming more self-reliant and independent in their use of family history resources.

Suggestions for such orientation include:

• Provide clients with a brief 'tour' of the library’s genealogical resources
• Encourage clients to bring relevant notes, photographs or clues when they visit. You cannot fully assist a client when they do not have the details of a person they are looking for.
• Advise the client to organise their family history research notes as quickly and thoroughly as possible. This will save both the librarian and the client time, effort and frustration. Free, basic forms are available at Family Search
• Formulate a brief plan that will help them achieve a desired outcome
• Explain how to use a catalogue or special index your Library may have.(card or pc based)
• Show them how to use equipment such as a microfiche/film reader, and have clear instructions at hand for their use.
• Refer them to other sources, websites and institutions to gain further assistance and specific information
• Explain to clients about any charges that might be incurred for services in the library

Empower clients by building their level of skill and confidence in using resources and finding their way around a library. This not only saves them time and frustration, but greatly helps the Librarian. An independent family historian makes for happy Librarians.

Exercise

Can you use all of the equipment in your family history section?

Spend an hour learning how they work, preferably with an experienced staff member. If no-one is available, challenge yourself to learn the workings of the equipment available.