Media Share 9/MEDIASHARE_09.ISO/genealog/gen_na07.zip/NYLIBRAR.TXT

Text File | 1989-06-28 | 7KB | 131 lines

          ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
          │  TIPS ON USING THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY  │
          └─────────────────────────────────────────────┘
    Trips were made to the New York Public Library in 1986-87
with an index of all surnames being searched, an outline of sear-
ches anticipated to allow for efficient use of time, and a supply
of protein bars. No food is allowed in the library and the bars
make it possible to stay all day. Arrive early -- the genealogy
room is very popular, especially on Saturday, and seating is
limited every day.
    The New York Public Library is in midtown Manhattan at
5th Avenue and 42nd Street. It is the second largest research li-
brary in the United States after the Library of Congress; over 10
million books, 17 millions manuscripts, and 350,000 maps are
there.
    Staying in New York is expensive, but cheaper on
weekends. Check a guidebook. Parking is extremely expensive; try
to take the subway. There is no fee to use the library. It is
open Monday, Wednesday to Saturday 10 to 6, Tuesday 10 to 9. You
are permitted to take materials in. They have metal detectors and
check your bags as you leave the library.
    The Local History and Genealogy section is on the third
floor. Ask directions -- you may need them. You must sign in and
register any strange equipment, such as computers. The stacks are
closed; you must use the available card catalogues to gain access
to the books you need.
    The collection consists of approximately 105,000 volumes,
thousands of manuscripts and loose files, and maps. There is an
excellent collection on New York, New England, Canada, and Eng-
land; a very limited collection of German materials, but more
than expected. Some limited materials from elsewhere in the coun-
try, but be prepared for surprises. They are quite aggressive
about acquisitions and may have something from your area. Not
only is the library non-circulating, you may not remove any
materials from that particular reading room.
    The card catalogue is divided into four sets of indexes:
    * NYC Public Library Catalogue of Local History and
Genealogy Division
      to 1972.
    * NYC Research Libraries Catalogue, 1972-1980.
    * NYC Research Libraries Catalogue Supplement, 1972-80.
    * NYC Research Libraries Microfiche Catalogue, 1980-
    After signing in, take a seat. All seats are identified
by number. Review the catalogue and mark down books on the book
request forms provided. Turn these into the librarian. They will
obtain approximately three books at one time for you. Get around
the limitation by requesting three more immediately.
    Call slips must be filled out entirely. If you plan to
return to the library the next day, take a handful of slips and
fill in your address; or better, take small return-address mail-
ing labels with you and attach those.
    Books will be brought to your seat. You can review them
at your leisure. When finished with them, return them to the li-
brary cart so someone else can use them. If you plan to return
the next day or within a week, and have not finished using a
book, you may request that it be held at the desk. You will be
asked to fill out a slip. When you return, just ask for the book.
    The New York Public Library has a photocopying department
located in the adjoining reading room. The charge may be 25 cents
per page. You are not permitted to make copies of books yourself.
Photocopies are usually allowed unless the book is in poor condi-
tion.
    Another form must be filled out -- again the address
labels will save considerable time. Next you are in a line to pay
the cashier -- you pay in advance. If the line is substantial,
don't wait for your copies; come back in an hour or so for them.
You will have been given a number and when your job is completed,
the number will be shown on an overhead screen. It is a good
idea, when possible, to have all the copy work done in the morn-
ing or early afternoon, rather than late in the day -- the ser-
vice will be faster and more polite.
    As a provision against the possibility that some books
may be in such condition that photocopies are not allowed, bring
a good camera. Photo flash is not permitted, but you may take
time exposure. Kodak makes special high-speed 35 mm film for
copying text with a camera.
    Although the microfilm collection is catalogued in the
Genealogy Department, the collection itself is located in the ad-
joining reading room. All of the readers are also located there.
Again, arrive early. If you can, you should have already used the
library catalogues so you can go directly to the reference desk
and check out the films. The staff will bring them from the racks
and place them on the counter. You then need to retrieve them
yourself. Be sure to make it apparent you have reserved a micro-
film reader or it will be taken while you are at the desk. If you
plan to use one of the machines, you must arrive early.
    For copies from microfilm records or books, there are
special blow-back copiers located in the reading room adjacent to
the Genealogy Room and next to the area where the photocopying is
done. Copies cost about 30 cents a page. In this case you do the
copies yourself. Bring lots of change, and come early. You should
have already determined beforehand from which films you need to
make copies. I saved all my copying for Saturday morning when I
knew I could have a machine when I got there. I'm sure weekdays
are slightly earlier.
    Although some books will be listed in the Genealogy Room
catalogues, when you call for them, the librarian will write some
strange numbers and letters on the call slip and refer to the mi-
crofilm room. The Genealogy Department is filming those books
which are about to fall apart. Unfortunately, there may be some
books being filmed that day and unavailable for use.
    Review your research goals, be prepared. It will save you
money and time. If you have additional time, consider visiting:
    * The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society Li-
brary, 122 East 58th Street, 10022. Hours: Oct-May, Monday-Saturday,
9:30-5; June, July, Sept. Monday-Friday, 9:30-5. Closed
in August. Contains 50,000, 3,000 microfilms, emphasis on New
York and the Northeast, Canada, and England; virtually no German
materials. $3 for library use per day. $50 annual membership.
    * New York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West,
10024; Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 to 5; Memorial Day through
Labor Day, Monday-Friday, 10 to 5. About 150,000 volumes, empha-
sizes NYC and New York State. $2 admission; additional $1 to use
the library. $35 per year membership. Collection is on OCLC.
    * Municipal Archives, 31 Chambers Street. Births, deaths,
and marriages.
    * Surrogates Court, 31 Chambers Street, Manhattan Probate
indexes and archives.
    * County Court House, 60 Center Street. 1905, 1915, and
1925 censuses.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This article is based on one that appeared originally in the Au-
gust 1988 issue of The Searcher, published by the Southern Cali-
fornia Genealogical Society, and was reprinted in the June 1989
issue of The Connecticut Nutmegger, published by the Connecticut
Society of Genealogists Inc. It is carried on The Source of Magic
BBS, Ridgefield, CT, 203-431-4687, a bulletin board specializing
in genealogy.