Libraries: Ideas for Jewish genealogical societies

Has your genealogical society ever thought about getting involved with your local library?

Did you know that many libraries have Friends of .... organizations? These individuals help in many ways, volunteering in various positions, fundraising, sponsoring programming for children and adults.

What does this have to do with genealogy?  Read on.

This Opelousas, Louisiana story covers that angle.

Estelle Perrault, who is heading up the drive to create a friends chapter for the Opelousas-Eunice library system, has invited Howard Coy, long-time administrator of the Vernon Parish Library System, to speak about what a friends group can mean for a library.

He will be the featured speaker at Saturday's 10 a.m. meeting of the Imperial St. Landry Genealogical and Historical Society in the conference room of Doctors Hospital.

"The Genealogical Society is purposefully opening its meeting and inviting all citizens," Perrault said. "The information gained at this meeting will guide us in the formation of the library support organization.

She urged everyone interested in helping promote the library and willing to work for its betterment to attend.

"The formation of a Friends of the Library in the near future will help to promote better library funding for all users of the library and expand the present services to meet the interests of children, teens, parents, our 'Golden Oldie' seniors and all other interests of our varied population," Perrault said.

She said libraries are of special interest to genealogists and is happy her group can spearhead this effort.


"Because of the need for an adequate library to assist with genealogical and family history research, local genealogy society members have a special interest in helping the local library to have a larger book and related materials collection," said Perrault, who heads the genealogy group. "Therefore our group is taking a leadership role in promoting enhanced local support of the library."

Food for thought.  Read the complete article at the link above.