Week 8 – Genealogy Libraries:
Genealogy libraries (and dedicated departments in regular libraries) are true treasures in the family history community.
Tell us about your favorite genealogy library. What or who makes it special?
Of course there is the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. But since I live in Florida I've only been able to visit there twice, so even though it is fabulous, access prevents it from being my favorite.
I would have to say that the Birmingham [Alabama] Public Library is my very favorite research library. The Linn-Henley Research Library where the genealogy collection is housed is in their older library building and can be accessed by walkway over the street from the newer building. It is a lovely building and the ambiance adds to the pleasure of the research. Government documents and the microfilm are housed in the same building - very convenient. The librarians have always been gracious and helpful. Their quite large collection emphasizes Alabama, but also the states where so many early settlers came from - Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia.
I use to live about 90 miles from the Birmingham library and visited every couple of months for several years and would stay the entire day - only going to my car to eat a quick lunch I brought with me. Unfortunately I don't have that easy journey now. I have had reason to order copies and the response is always rapid.
I'm really looking forward to FGS, Aug 29-Sept 1, and have made hotel reservations for extra days which will be spent right there in that Library!
