Where Is The World's Largest Family History & Genealogy Library Located? According to the LDS Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, it is the "Largest library of its kind in the world." The collection includes over 2.4 million rolls of microfilmed genealogical records; 727,000 microfiche; 356,000 books, serials, and other formats; over 4,500 periodicals and 3,725 electronic resources. (13 JAN 2012). http://www.academic-genealogy.com/librariesmuseums.htm#modifieddeweylds Additionally, "In the FamilySearch Research Wiki, you can learn how to do genealogical research or share your knowledge with others." Melvyl® Legacy Telnet Database Browse Current - Miscellaneous Consolidation - WorldCat®, includes an additional consolidation of selected FamilySearch categories, within each of the UC Melvyl® catalog sections, for all worldwide locations. http://www.academic-genealogy.com/melvylbrowsemisc.htm The Library of Congress is billed as the largest library in the world, "by shelf space and number of books." "In late November 2005, the Library announced intentions to launch the World Digital Library, digitally preserving books and other objects from all world cultures." http://www.academic-genealogy.com/librariesmuseums.htm#international WorldCat® "is the world's largest library catalog, helping you find library materials online", with "1.5 billion items available here through a library" WorldCat® :(dated 14 Jan 2012) Search results for "genealog*" limited to Libraries Worldwide (WorldCat®) Results of about 807,257. [COMPARE] WorldCat® :(dated 14 Jan 2012) Search results for 'genealog* periodicals' limited to Libraries Worldwide (WorldCat®) Results of about 16,138 [COMPARE] http://www.academic-genealogy.com/melvyluniversityofcaliforniagenealogyfamilyhistory.htm#research So where does the world's largest family history and genealogy library exist? Is it somewhere together, between them all, within a nebulous computer cloud? http://hothardware.com/News/Cloud-Computing-The-Future-Takes-Nebulous-Shape/ Yes. The worldwide accessible online database, connected by institutions via the Internet. http://www.academic-genealogy.com/bookspublicationsgenealogical.htm#Edpub The shape of the future appears in a study of the University of California Melvyl® System. http://www.academic-genealogy.com/melvyluniversityofcaliforniagenealogyfamilyhistory.htm A. Melvyl® Library System Catalogs 1. http://www.academic-genealogy.com/melvyluniversityofcaliforniagenealogyfamilyhistory.htm#catalogs B. Melvyl® Library System Subject Headings 2. http://www.academic-genealogy.com/melvyluniversityofcaliforniagenealogyfamilyhistory.htm#Browse WorldCat®: University of California Libraries: provides current information on specific entries listed above, (full holdings, locations, call numbers, etc.); or, to find new additions in the entire collection. http://www.academic-genealogy.com/melvylcatmisc.htm The general search can be done by subject or keywords; for example, use: "genealog*", etc., for the record collection. http://www.academic-genealogy.com/melvyluniversityofcaliforniagenealogyfamilyhistory.htm#SEARCH Google™ (California + Google) provides additional, immediate free or subscription online access to records. Check resources with collections at Salt Lake City, Utah Family History Library. Use: Introduction to the Family History Library Catalog and Deciphering Family History Library Catalog Entries. http://www.cdlib.org/services/collections/massdig/books.html For example, "UC libraries partner with Google to digitize books", has about 60,000 family history, or genealogy related records, in its current system, which will provide, when online, about one sixth of the volume of "356,000 books, serials, and other formats" located at the SLC, Utah, LDS Family History Library. http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/2006/aug09.html As Google™ Books Library Partners increases, the number of select, family history and genealogy records online proportionately increases. The process ultimately will provide an online database of information, that freely includes out of copyright resources, with more restricted, paid public access to currently published or in copyright data resources. This nebulous computer cloud will transcend any local institutional collection. http://books.google.com/googlebooks/partners.html Respectfully yours, V. Chris & Tom Tinney, Sr. Family Genealogy and History Internet Education Directory - Wiki http://www.academic-genealogy.com/