{"id":57095,"date":"2020-03-19T11:33:21","date_gmt":"2020-03-19T15:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=57095"},"modified":"2023-11-28T13:57:06","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T18:57:06","slug":"genealogy-during-quarantine-5-things-to-do-when-the-library-is-closed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/genealogy-during-quarantine-5-things-to-do-when-the-library-is-closed.html","title":{"rendered":"Genealogy during Quarantine: 5 Things to Do When the Library Is Closed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/em><\/strong> In this article \u2013 to help genealogists in this time of coronavirus quarantine \u2013 Gena Philibert-Ortega describes five ways family historians can use library services even when the building itself is closed. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book \u201cFrom the Family Kitchen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

What library cards are in your wallet? My kids like to make fun of me because I try to collect as many as I can \u2013 and with good reason. Each library offers something different to their patrons, depending on their size and the population they serve \u2013 and are especially useful to genealogists.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: Carnegie Library, built in 1904 in Akron, Ohio. Credit: Robbie Schneider; Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not able to visit the library during this time of coronavirus quarantine, social distancing, and establishments being closed? All is not lost. There are so many services libraries offer their patrons, and the public in general, that even if you can\u2019t visit in person, you can still benefit from a virtual library visit.<\/p>\n

1) Databases<\/strong><\/p>\n

Membership has its privileges \u2013 and that\u2019s also true of library \u201cmembership.\u201d One benefit of having a library card is access to online subscription databases, many (but not all) from the comfort of your home by simply entering the bar code numbers on your library card. While some of the databases have nothing to do with genealogy, they may hold information that can be of real benefit to your research. Smaller libraries may not have much to offer, database-wise, but larger city libraries and academic libraries have a rich selection (once again a reason to have more than one library card).<\/p>\n

Genealogy Tip:<\/em><\/strong> Explore all the databases your library offers, not just the ones labeled \u201cgenealogy.\u201d Those labeled as history, periodicals, and even reference works can be just as useful to the family historian.<\/p>\n

Take a look at your local library\u2019s website for available databases, and then explore the databases available from other libraries of interest. If you are eligible for a library card, it could be beneficial to have more than one.<\/p>\n

2) Catalogs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oh, the library catalog \u2013 my favorite part of a library\u2019s website! Why? Because it\u2019s here that you can search for relevant resources and plan for your next research trip. However, as you get ready to explore the library catalog, don\u2019t make the mistake that most of us commit: don\u2019t just start searching the library catalog. Make sure that you take some time to read any FAQs or search tips before you conduct your search. We don\u2019t always use online resources as well as we should \u2013 so it\u2019s important to understand what the catalog has and hasn\u2019t, and the best way to search.<\/p>\n

Start your research by exploring the world\u2019s library catalog WorldCat<\/a> to find resources at libraries near you.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: WorldCat homepage. Credit: WorldCat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By entering your zip code, WorldCat shows results according to what participating (and hopefully nearby) libraries have an item you\u2019re searching for. FamilySearch is one of the libraries that participates in WorldCat, so it\u2019s a great resource for finding other libraries that have materials found at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.<\/p>\n

3) Research Guides<\/strong><\/p>\n

I love research guides, and large libraries have all kinds. Research guides provide information on a topic and resources to learn more. Take for instance the research guides available from the Newberry Library (Chicago, Illinois) in their Genealogy and Local History<\/a> section. You don\u2019t have to have Chicago or Illinois ancestors to benefit from these research guides:<\/p>\n