The following is copied from the Autauga list. I don't think a discussion on the list would be helpful or even appropriate but letters to the noted entities at the bottom of Mr. Davis' information would certainly be beneficial. Caroline, Prattville The below is from Robert Davis, director of the Wallace State University library at Hanceville, so he should know what he is talking about. If the Birmingham library is really phasing out the Southern History Collection this would be a major blow to genealogists. They have one of the best genealogy collections in the state along with ADAH and Wallace State.-- John -------- Original Message -------- Subject: News from WSSC List 5 Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2006 13:09:35 -0500 From: Robert Davis <[email protected]> To: Bob Davis at work <[email protected]> I have been asked to qualify the previous posting about the situation with regards to the Southern History Collection of the Birmingham Public Library, the greatest collection for southern historical and genealogical research. Civil War books are now a low priority and books on states other than Alabama will also no longer be purchased or accepted as gifts. Books on Alabama and Jefferson County will supposedly still be accepted but limits have apparently been imposed even on that. We must protest these policies to the mayor of Birmingham and to the library board. It is not just a resource of benefit to a few local genealogists. The Southern History Collection has brought millions of dollars into Birmingham's economy from visits by researchers outside of Jefferson County, Alabama, and the United States but that will not continue if the collection is not allowed to add books on the Civil War, other states, or even other parts of Alabama. Please join me in writing to anyone we think might positively influence the situation: http://www.bplonline.org/admin/default.asp http://www.informationbirmingham.com/mayor/mayor.htm

At 09:55 AM 10/23/2006, you wrote: >The below is from Robert Davis, director of the Wallace State University >library at Hanceville, so he should know what he is talking about. If >the Birmingham library is really phasing out the Southern History >Collection this would be a major blow to genealogists. They have one of >the best genealogy collections in the state along with ADAH and Wallace >State.-- John If this awful back sliding related to the Birmingham Library is actually underway ........... AAARR###!<<*&## I wonder if the relevant holdings could simply be turned over to either Wallace State or to Samford University. I had heard that Samford also has a good genealogical and old history program ? Carl