In a message dated 6/29/98 8:31:04 AM Central Daylight Time, WWWest@eufaula.lib.ok.us writes: << GenTips-L@rootsweb.com >> In order to access the materials at the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City you must either go to your nearest LDS Family History Center (probably most large US cities have one now) or to Salt Lake. The Salt Lake library is probably the largest of its kind in the world, although, unfortunately--not comprehensive yet. The resources available there are not to be missed! (Some public libraries have the Family Search CD's in their genealogy department so that you can use Ancestral File, the IGI, SS death index, military death index [Korea & Vietnam only], and library card catalog at the public library. The references listed on the catalog have to be used at a Family History Center however.) Most microfilms can be rented for a small fee (which essentially covers postage costs) of abt $3.25--it will vary a little bit depending on where you are--and be available at the local FHC for you for about 4-6 weeks (again it varies depending on where you are). They are renewable. These microfilms are of genealogically important documents from all over the world (for instance, they believe all genealogically important documents for the Ukraine have been microfilmed and will be available over the next few months as they get them cataloged.) Books do not circulate, but some are available on microfilm or microfiche. (If there is a book you need that is not filmed, especially if indexed, a reference questionaire can be sent & they can xerox the pages for you for price of the xeroxing.) If you don't find an area that you're interested in, ask the volunteer at the FHC for a reference questionaire. Since they get in about 1,000 films per week, no local facility is going to have a current listing. However, the Reference questionaire will get you the call numbers if they have the record & it has been cataloged. If they have it, but it has not been cataloged yet, they can also tell you that, and an approximate time to recheck. They may also be able to indicate whether or not filming is in process in the area you are interested in. (For example, I understand they have microfilm teams in Nebraska doing county marriage records right now, among other places.) Whether a film is available for circulation depends on the contract worked out when the record was microfilmed. Some jurisdictions allowed the filming, but refused permission to allow them to circulate the record. Good luck, & have fun. I've done Canadian, Scottish, Norwegian & Swedish, as well as US through my local FHC. Karen