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Library adds FamilySearch access to genealogy
Nevada Public Library is the newest FamilySearch affiliate library. The new designation means library patrons will have greater and more convenient access to the wealth of genealogical resources available through FamilySearch.
FamilySearch is the world's largest repository of free genealogical records and manages the famous Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, noted a press release from the library. It has amassed billions of birth, marriage, death, census, land, and court records of genealogical significance from more than 130 countries.
FamilySearch is extending access to its collections by circulating microfilms of the historic records through select public libraries. The Nevada Public Library is now one of those libraries.
"It is a priceless resource for local residents interested in discovering their family tree.
"Less than 5 percent of the world's genealogical records are available online, and most family history researchers cannot afford to travel to an archive nationally or worldwide to find the historic records they are seeking," said Paul Nauta, FamilySearch public affairs manager.
"If FamilySearch has filmed the records they need, then as far as they will need to travel to view them is the Nevada Public Library."
FamilySearch has more than 200 camera teams filming historic records in 45 countries on any given day. These records are then circulated to public patrons through FamilySearch centers worldwide, like the Nevada Public Library.
There is a nominal fee of $7.50 to order a microfilm. Once the film arrives, patrons use the microfilm readers at the Nevada Public Library to peruse it.
Patrons can search the Family History Library Catalog online at FamilySearch.org to see what records FamilySearch has available to order through the library.
"Nancy Thompson brought this idea to me a few months ago. I was excited to learn of this program and immediately applied to become an affiliate library. This is a great opportunity to bring in additional resources for our patrons," said Jodi Polk, library director.
The library expanded the Genealogy Research Center last fall by relocating it in the east wing of the main floor. The collection was reorganized and now has room to grow.
The Genealogy Research Center has two new computers and numerous resources to aid in family research. The library recently purchased a new ScanPro 1100 digital microfilm scanner.
"This new equipment creates the highest quality imaging of microfilm and images are then saved to a USB drive. Researchers visiting the library have raved over the new scanner," Polk said.
Research services are available through requests of volunteers from the Cedar-Vernon County Genealogical Society.
For more information about any of the services available, visit the library.