Introduction: In this article – to help celebrate National Library Week – Gena Philibert-Ortega provides 10 tips to use libraries for your family history research. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book “From the Family Kitchen.”

This week marks National Library Week and it’s a good time to consider how you can use the library to enhance your family history research. Whether you are a regular library visitor or it’s been a while, use this week as an excuse to visit a library in person or online.

Library Tips

Libraries have so much to offer genealogists. The following are just a few ideas to help you start incorporating libraries into your research.

(1) Become reacquainted with your local library. Library research starts with your local public library. No matter what its size, your local library has services that can help your family history research even if your family wasn’t from that area. For example, your library may offer interlibrary loan, providing you access to books and articles from just about any library, including academic libraries, in the United States.

(2) Libraries have more than just books. Sure, books are what we automatically associate with libraries – but don’t forget that their holdings include other materials including periodicals, audio and video materials, microforms, and even “stuff” (physical items to check out like record players and kitchen tools). The list of what’s available will differ on the type of library and their collecting priorities.

(3) There are different types of libraries. You most likely are familiar with your local public library but remember that for your research you’ll also want to identify other libraries, including genealogy, state, academic, and private.

(4) What’s in your wallet? You may want to have more than just your local library card. Academic libraries sometimes offer alumni or community member cards for a fee. Public libraries in your state may extend borrowing privileges to you even if you don’t live locally. See the library website you’re interested in to determine if you qualify for a library card.

(5) Why do I have a card for a library seven hours away from me? One word: databases! Each library has its own subscription databases that can include periodicals, historical materials, and more. I collect multiple library cards to enlarge the number of databases I have access to. Check out a library’s website to determine what subscription websites they offer to patrons.

(6) Make friends with librarians. Librarians are the best and I count quite a few as friends. A librarian’s superpower is finding information. That’s what they went to school to learn. Yes, you have Google, but in some cases that isn’t enough to find what you need. Don’t forget that a librarian, in person, via email, or through an online chat, can assist you in finding the keyword that will help you find the resource you need for your research.

(7) Contact the library where your ancestors lived. Libraries can be treasure troves of genealogy information beyond just books. In some cases, they may have “loose folders” of information about local history and families. They may have digitized obituaries or local newspapers. The local genealogy society might even offer services through the library, including look-ups. Your ancestors’ local library can hold the answer to your research question.

(8) Add libraries to your research plans. Peruse the library’s website and online card catalog for your ancestors’ hometown. Note resources they offer online and in person. Even if you have no intention of traveling to that library, knowing about their collections can be helpful to you. Who knows? Maybe one day that item will be digitized, perhaps the librarian will provide you a copy, or you’ll find out a friend is going to be researching there and can help you by providing a look-up.

(9) Don’t forget that libraries have events. Whether they are the meeting place of the local genealogy society or they have invited a local author to speak, libraries have events that can be of interest. Whenever I go to the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, one of the first things I do is see what presentations staff are giving. Often these include presentations on an ancestral location, a specific type of research, or how to use the library.

(10) Follow your favorite libraries on social media. Whether your favorite social media website is Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube, follow your local and favorite libraries and others on social media to learn about collections and events. If you’re planning a trip to that library, their social media channels or website will help inform you of any closures or other issues that might impact your visit.

I love libraries. All genealogists need libraries to find unique materials that hold answers to genealogical questions. Spend some time this week visiting a library in person or online.

What’s your favorite library? Why is it your favorite? Use the comments below to share your library with us.

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Note on the header image: Carnegie Library, built in 1901 in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Credit: Steven C. Price; Wikimedia Commons.