Basics of Genealogy Reference: A Librarian’s Guide Illustrated Edition by Jack Simpson (Author)

Description

This book offers novice and experienced reference librarians an introduction to tried-and-true genealogy techniques and resources. With the help of four case studies, Simpson outlines a basic starting strategy for conducting genealogy research. Later chapters deal specifically with genealogical librarianship: how to conduct a reference interview, continuing and professional development, and basic resources every collection should have. Charts, screen shots, and examples of public documents are also included; while a series of appendices present the case studies in their entirety.Genealogy is one of the most popular hobbies in the United States, and is heavily researched in public libraries and historical repositories. Increasingly, major genealogy resources are available online at libraries through subscription databases or free on the internet. As a result, librarians face the overwhelming task of helping a large audience of genealogists cope with an ever growing flood of new resources.This book offers novice and experienced reference librarians an introduction to tried-and-true genealogy techniques and resources. With the help of four case studies, Simpson outlines a basic starting strategy for conducting genealogy research. Later chapters deal specifically with genealogical librarianship: how to conduct a reference interview, continuing and professional development, and basic resources every collection should have. Charts, screen shots, and examples of public documents are also included; while a series of appendices present the case studies in their entirety. Read more

From Booklist Simpson, curator of local and family history at the Newberry Library and cocreator (with Ginger Frere) of ChicagoAncestors.org, has drawn upon his experiences to create a useful manual for anyone helping researchers locate and comprehend genealogical data. Using four case studies, he describes the basic techniques and resources that have worked to point novices and experienced users in appropriate directions. These are helpful for librarians who have never done this kind of work and for those who could benefit from a refresher course. Chapter 13, “The Professional Toolkit,”  is especially useful for persons who want to keep current in the field and learn more through online sources, professional conferences, and genealogical journals. The list entitled “More than Twenty Great Reference Books” suggests affordable sources that any library serving genealogists and historians will want to have. This handy manual works well for librarians for group training and self-directed study, and motivated library patrons can also learn from it. –Sally Jane Review “Basics of Genealogy Reference: A Librarian’s Guide is aimed at those who control the most effective of a genealogist’s resources: the library. …[It’s] a must for the modern librarian.” ―The Midwest Book Review“This book contains excellent information to assist librarians in serving patrons seeking help with their genealogical or family history research. It includes many good illustrated samplings of genealogical and family history records and research techniques…This work is recommended for all reference collections, with circulating copies for library patrons. Libraries should provide free personal copies for each reference librarian to mark up for themselves for use during consultations with genealogical or family history patrons.” ―ARBA“Jack Simpson’s new book succeeds in meeting the needs of two distinct audiences: those seeking a very basic startingstrategy for genealogical research and those seeking to understand the basics of genealogical librarianship. Experiencedresearchers and veteran librarians will also find nuggets of information to refresh their knowledge of this area of professional practice. . . . All in all this is a well-written book by a very knowledgeable genealogy librarian. The pace of the book keeps the reader moving. The information is relevant and up-to-date―particularly the discussions of online resources. It, minus a discussion of DNA, is a very solid introduction to the basics of genealogy research and genealogy librarianship. In addition, it is an easy read. A couple of times my wife, who is neither a librarian nor a serious genealogist, picked up the book and read several pages before I was able to wrestle it back.” ―College & Research Libraries“…the information needed by the reference librarian, particularly one inexperienced in serving the needs of genealogists or the amateur family historian is available in this book, is presented in a familiar style with helpful examples. . . . As a basic handbook, it deserves a place on the desk of the reference librarian, and perhaps the amateur family historian or the novice genealogist.” ―Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly About the Author JACK SIMPSON is Curator of Local and Family History at The Newberry Library, Chicago IL. Read more

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Refund and Returns Policy

Due to the nature of digital products, pdfTextbook does not offer refunds or returns  for this product and all sales are final. please contact our customer service team before your purchase at [email protected].