We received a letter from the National Archives and Records Administration this week:
Dear Microfilm Rental Customer:
I regret to inform you that the National Archives and Records Administration is terminating its Microfilm Rental Program, effective August 31, 2009. . . .
NARA has taken this action because the amount of revenue produced by the rental program no longer supports its administration and management . . . Much of the microfilm pertaining to genealogy that has been available through the rental program has been digitized and is available at either Ancestry.com or Footnote.com.
For more information on what NARA offers genealogists, visit
http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Fees are a-comin' in
The best things in life are no longer free . . .
Charleston County Public Library will begin charging patrons $2.00 per item received via interlibrary loan, beginning with requests submitted after 3pm on March 31 (which will be processed on the fee's start date of April 1).
This not a moneymaking proposition by any means - it doesn't even meet the cost of postage. Like the charges for photocopying and printing, this is a way to recover some of the costs of library services. Studies at academic libraries have shown that the total cost of an interlibrary loan, including staff time, supplies, and postage, falls between $12 and $20.
Staff members have been wondering if they will be charged. The answer, for now, is no. We encourage staff to read widely and pursue various interests. For example, I have been researching my family history over the last few years. Since my ancestors are from other states, I have had to use interlibrary loan to fill in some of the gaps in my history, and I will continue to do so.
We do ask that staff members consider the cost of this service before rushing to order items. If the item is something that you will probably buy for yourself, go ahead and buy it. If it is something that you need by a certain date, and to be able to keep it for a long period of time, you may wish to buy a copy for yourself (I'm thinking of things like textbooks and readings for classes).
If you have questions about these charges, please feel free to contact me.
Charleston County Public Library will begin charging patrons $2.00 per item received via interlibrary loan, beginning with requests submitted after 3pm on March 31 (which will be processed on the fee's start date of April 1).
This not a moneymaking proposition by any means - it doesn't even meet the cost of postage. Like the charges for photocopying and printing, this is a way to recover some of the costs of library services. Studies at academic libraries have shown that the total cost of an interlibrary loan, including staff time, supplies, and postage, falls between $12 and $20.
Staff members have been wondering if they will be charged. The answer, for now, is no. We encourage staff to read widely and pursue various interests. For example, I have been researching my family history over the last few years. Since my ancestors are from other states, I have had to use interlibrary loan to fill in some of the gaps in my history, and I will continue to do so.
We do ask that staff members consider the cost of this service before rushing to order items. If the item is something that you will probably buy for yourself, go ahead and buy it. If it is something that you need by a certain date, and to be able to keep it for a long period of time, you may wish to buy a copy for yourself (I'm thinking of things like textbooks and readings for classes).
If you have questions about these charges, please feel free to contact me.
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