This was posted to another list but, I thought it might be something of interest to the list members. kay ~~~~~~ "A notice was recently printed in the Independent-Journal newspaper in Potosi, Mo. which reads: (MO.) STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO CHARGE RESEARCH FEE Due to escalating research requests and limited staff time, the State Historical society will establish a fee and time limit for research requests received via letter, fax, or e-mail from out-of-state non-members. Effective January 1, 2001, the Society will limit research assistance for these patrons to a maximum of one hour and charge $15.00 for that service. Residence will be determined by the return address. Members of the Society and residents of Missouri will not be charged a research fee. All patrons, however, who wish research assistance that will take longer than one hour to complete will be sent a list of private researchers. All patrons will be limited to three specific requests per communication and four communications per year. Requests for newspaper searches must include name of person and event, date of event, and location of event. Letters, faxes, and e-mail messages are answered in the order in which they are received. All communications must include the patron's name and postal address."