Building and Sustaining Your Library's Local History Collection for the Future

PART I BY CASEY (PART II BY KARYE BELOW)
This program's presenters gave different perspectives about local history collections in a state, urban and public library. The panel consisted of Kris Rzepczyniski (Michigan Genealogy Coordinator, Library of Michigan); Tim Gleisner (Manager of Local History and Special Collections, Grand Rapids Public Library); and Sara Wedell (Adult Services Librarian, Chelsea Township District Library). They discussed how local history is a powerful promotional tool that helps libraries foster relationships with their most ardent supporters. From identifying community partners to the variety of sources available for building a local history collection to ideas for program development, the panel discussed ways to position libraries as THE community source for local history information.



I thought they made an excellent point by reminding us that all items in a local history collection must fit the scope of the collection. We need to "be selectors, not hoarders." By having a clearly-defined local history collection development strategy, libraries can cultivate a reputation of responsible, involved stewardship.

-----------------------------------------

PART II BY KARYE
Building and Sustaining Your Library's Local History Collection for the Future

All the speakers in the program were from Michigan representing 3 perspectives (state library, large urban, and small public). A library's local history collection is an "invaluable community asset." In the short term it is the community source for information, and brings in new patrons, in the long term it is the source for the community's memory (which takes time to build). A local history collection can be a powerful promotional tool.

There are many potential community partners:
-other libraries and archives
-genealogical and historical societies
-newspapers
-churches
-schools, colleges, universities
-foundations
-state agencies
-county, city clerks
-funeral homes, cemeteries
-family history centers (LDS)
-social, cultural, family associations
-civil war re-enactors

Potential for building relationships with joint programs and fundraising. The challenges are doing more with less, and relevance. Plus answering the perpetual question "isn't everything online."

Promote through exhibits and displays, aricles in publications, indexes, online exhibits and indexes, blog, and programming (genealogy lock in, history detectives, classes, tours, author visits). More challenges include, population changes, meeting patron demand, keeping up with incoming materials, selection and space.

The most interesting presenter was from Chelsea District Library, which was named "Best Small Library In America" 2008 by Library Journal. Population 4,000. The main points given were:
-Use of "Archivist's Toolkit" open source software.
-Define the collection parameters, and acquiring new materials (not only donations, but through purchasing),
-Content creation (engaging the community to tell their stories, as there are not many local history books about this area),
-Be visible (attract donations by cultivating a reputation of responsible, involved stewardhip), family history database created (originally from a donation, online access, volunteer-powered with limited staff oversight),
-Monthly program (historic interest group, which involves local historians, educates the community, and highlights the collection),
-Community history project (video interviews, grant-funded, active history).

Challenges include maintenance (proper storage, preservation, conservation), space (growth opportunities are limited), limited funds (small percentage of print budget).

This program was a good overview of local history collections in libraries. It was a useful reminder that such a collection although it seems separate, has the same requirements; a collection development policy defining parameters, how to handle donations, budget, staffing, promotion.