This came from one of our subscribers (thanks, Georgia) and I think it would be a wonderful guideline for ALL of us to follow, no matter if we are visiting a library, archives OR a courthouse! : > ===================================================== > FEATURE ARTICLE: "Changing the Perception" > by Juliana S. Smith > <<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>> > ===================================================== > Unfortunately, the bad manners of a few genealogists can reflect poorly on > all of us. When some archivists or librarians see that glazed look that > comes from reading too many microfilms, the trembling fingers clutching > desperately to a handful of pedigree charts, and mouth watering over the > treasures of that particular facility, they are probably fighting an urge > to flee! By using common courtesy, we can all help ourselves by > establishing a good reputation with these guardians of the records we hold > so dear. Here are some common sense rules of etiquette to remember when you > visit any library, archives, courthouse, or other research facility: > > ~ Do your homework before visiting the facility. Check hours of operation, > availability of materials, and restrictions before your visit. If you have > Internet access, many facilities have Web pages that contain all of the > information you need. If they have an online catalog, you may want to do > some preparatory work beforehand so that you won't tie up the onsite > computer catalogs when you get there. (This will also save you valuable > research time.) > > ~ Be mindful of closing time. It's easy to get caught up in the past and > lose track of the present time, but remember that the your librarian or > archivist wants to get out at quitting time. They have lives too, and > having to wait for you to wrap things up may make them late for picking up > their children, making dinner, or whatever else they have planned. > > ~ Don't expect the librarian, archivist, or clerk to do your research for > you. Read up on the type of records you will be using. If you are new to > family history research, read up on where to start. "Family History Made > Easy," by Loretto D. Szucs (Salt Lake City, UT: Ancestry, 1998) is a great > book to start out with. > > ~ Take care with property. Be careful with old documents and books and > don't mark on them. If you are unfamiliar with equipment, ask for help. The > librarian or archivist would much rather explain to you how to use it > properly, than explain to the next fifty people that it is broken. > > ~ Bring your own supplies including pencils, paper for taking notes, and > exact change for copies. > > ~ Just as in correspondence, your questions should be brief and to the > point. As much as the librarian would love to hear the story of your > great-uncle Bruno and exploits, he or she probably has work to do, and > there are often other patrons waiting to ask their own questions. > > ~ Be considerate and always return materials to their proper place (whether > it be back to the shelf or to a place designated for returned items.) > > ~ Shhhhhhhh. Always speak quietly and be respectful of the other patrons in > the facility. > > ~ Don't forget the magic words, “please” and “thank you.” If you get great > service from someone, write to his or her superior and let them know. It's > always great to be appreciated! > > Even if you follow all the rules of etiquette, you may still run across a > clerk that seems a bit aloof and not particularly happy to be helping you. > Maybe she is having a bad day, or maybe he had a bad experience with > another patron. Stay cool, and polite. You can change their perception of > all family historians for good! > =====================================================