X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Newsgroups: soc.roots
Date:         Tue, 22 Dec 1992 02:10:48 CST
Reply-To:     Bill Green <green@plains.nodak.edu>
From:         Brad Green <green@PLAINS.NODAK.EDU>
Subject:      Libraries
Comments: To: Genealogy Discussion List <ROOTS-L@VM1.NoDak.Edu>

I've got to put in my two cents worth (while it's still worth two cents),
on the subject of libraries.  North Dakota has the same problems other
states have, with taxes increasing.  A few years ago, we said enough, and
referred all the new taxes passed by the legislature.  All of the new taxes
were defeated, which caused a massive amount or "cost cutting", including
reducing library hours.  Son of a gun, if they didn't find out there was
money there that they didn't know about and so most cuts were restored.
Unfortunately, either the library didn't get their money restored (they
won't say) or they just decided to save money, but either way, the reduced
hours stayed.

It does create a problem, limited hours on Saturday, and early closing on
Friday, with only a four hour day Sunday.  I agree with one of you who
said they should probably look at other hours if they have to reduce
service.  In our case, the 9-9 hours M-T could just as easily be 10-9,
thus giving them 4 more hours to play with on the weekends.  Probably the
best way to accomplish this was the suggestion to get involved with the
library, in a volunteer status for instance. It's easier to work within
the system than yell from the outside.

I've had a few problems getting ILL material, but Melodie explained the
reason for most libraries giving genealogy material a low priority, and
I talked with the folks at the Minnesota Hysterical Society (who is the
closest place with a good supply of such books).  They explained they don't
like to ILL, since they prefer to keep the material on hand for local
researchers, which makes sense - that's what they exist for.

My library seems to be reasonable with ILL, the first ten books every year
are free, with a $2 charge on everything over the first ten.  They also
charge a $3 fee on out of state books.  The University charges for all
books, the charge being the cost of getting the book (or returning it).
Either way is reasonable.

The bottom line is, I think we get fairly good service here, I work with
the lady who handles ILL (she's one of my mail customers), and I try not
to complain about things I know nothing about.  It's a little like the
Postal Service, everyone complains about it, but they will admit they
usually get pretty good service.

--
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|   Bill Green   Minot, North Dakota   |      Home of the H0STFEST     |
|        green@plains.nodak.edu        |Forget the "Brad", it's really |
|     ak385@cleveland.freenet.edu      |             BILL              |
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| RESEARCHING:  Stanley  IA/KS  1871-       Cook  IA/KS  1850-         |
|               Brown  MA/KS  1579-         Mason NY/IA  1800-         |
|               Lamb   NC/KS  1851-         Maxwell  NY  1800-         |
|               Wilson IN/IL  1871-         Hediger -  Swiss           |
| Anhorn - Kotchian - Kohoutek - Havlena - Marschall (E. Europe)       |
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