Libraries are the most obvious place to go to find information. However, there are libraries in lots of unexpected places. You will probably think of even more libraries than are identified on this site.
| School libraries | College libraries | Church libraries |
| Family History libraries | Museum Libraries | Private libraries |
| School District libraries |
School libraries
How many schools are there in your community? Each of them, from elementary school to college will have a library. They all have different collections and different resources. It is not enough to just go to one library and say you've checked everything. A true detective, checks out all possible resources! List the different schools in your town by name, then go to their library and research.
- Elementary school
- Middle school or junior high
- High school
- College
- Private schools
College libraries
College libraires usually offer a more sophisticated collection of books and resources. These are especially selected to help researchers and scholars, but that doesn't mean that high school students can't successfully use the information. Find out what their policy is for checking out books, or be resigned to doing your research on site. It may be worth a trip to visit a college library near you.
Resources a college library may have:
- On-line catalogs
- Internet connection
- Specialized collections
- Expanded reference books
- Microfiche readers
- Microfilm readers
- Large periodical collection
- Reserve library
- Cd ROMS on a wide variety of topics
Church libraries
Even though churches focus on religious instruction, they often have good collections of books, magazines, and historical information related to their parrish or congregation. See if you can name the churches in your community, or their minister. Who would you contact to investigate what they have in their library? Could you look in the Yellow Pages?
- Catholic churches
- Protestant churches
- LDS congregations
- Jewish synagogs
- Other
LDS Family History Centers
Museum Libraries
- Microfilm of LDS church genealogical records
- Family Search program
- LDS CD's containing genealogical records
- Files from Familysearch.org program/ Pedigree resource files
- Vital record indexes
- Fiche collection of basic state and country resources
- Research outlines and guides for countries and states
- Family history catalog 2000
- Mormon imigration index on CD
- Videos on "how to" instruction
- Magazines: genealogical computing, Ancestry, Family Chronical
- Historical book collection
- Family histories
- Microfilm San Juan Record 1933-1984 (Blanding Family History Center)
- Utah Census, 1900, San Juan Census (Blanding Family History Center)
- Microfiche and microfilm readers
- Copy machines
- Computers
- TV and video machine
What are the museums in your community? Do you think they would have books,
files, and other documents that relate to their holdings?
Possible library resources found in museums:Private libraries
- Documents related to special collections
- Journals, magazines, pamphlets related to museum holdings
- Tourist brochures
- Brochures explaining special exhibits
- Tour guides containing information
- Photo collections related to exhibits
- Artifact documentation and descriptions
Think of the people who know a lot about your topic. Ask your parents or teacher for names of people who are experts in your topic. There is a good chance that they will also have private libraries with books and documents related to your topic.
Contact them to see if they will let you come to their home to read, and research. If you know the person, and you are trustworthy, they may let you borrow it. Be very careful in using other people's materials and return them promptly.Names of people who may have good private libraries:
School District Libraries/ media resources
- Teachers
- College professors
- People who are college graduates
- People considered experts in a certain field
- Government employees
- People who read a lot
Many school districts have extensive libraries and media collections housed at a central location. Often they have minutes of the school board, scrapbooks, photographs, books, videos, and other educational materials which may be useful to a researcher.
State History Fair
Contact teachers
Last updated January 2001
