September 2024 | Volume XLII, Issue 3 »
What Does a Genealogy & Local History Librarian Do?
September 3, 2024
EvaAnne Johnson, Wilmette Public Library
As a Genealogy and Local History Librarian at Wilmette Public Library (WPL), my daily routine is an interesting mix of genealogical and local historical inquiries alongside standard reference librarian duties, such as staffing the reference desk and managing a segment of the nonfiction collection. It’s a specialized position that perfectly aligns with my interests, combining my passion for teaching, genealogy, and local history with my professional expertise as a librarian.
My journey into genealogy began at the age of ten, sparked by a curiosity about my own family’s roots. During my college years, I enjoyed both researching and teaching and I worked on developing those skills. Initially, my career in libraries began in circulation at Wilmette Public Library, where I quickly transitioned to a full-time role as an interlibrary loan assistant. It was during this time that I decided to pursue a career as a librarian and subsequently obtained my Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MSLIS). During my studies, I realized the potential to merge my love for genealogy and local history research with my library degree, paving the way for my current role. Since September 2020, I’ve been serving in my current position as Genealogy and Local History Librarian at Wilmette Public Library.
In this specialized role, I am able to assist patrons with their specific research, and maintain our archival collections. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is conducting one-on-one consultations with patrons seeking guidance on their genealogical questions. Whether it’s helping them navigate Ancestry.com or uncovering their ancestor’s elusive immigration records, each appointment offers a new puzzle to solve. I particularly enjoy helping patrons get started in genealogy, such as one patron who brought in his giant family Bible. I showed him how to transfer that information onto a family tree and look for records online to verify its information. In our first preliminary search, we found his grandfather’s birth record on Ancestry! I am able to help guide patrons through their family history journeys, relying on my genealogical research experience, knowledge of different kinds of records, and teaching skills.
Similarly, I enjoy assisting patrons in the Local History Room, where WPL’s collection of resources is a window into our community’s past. From Sanborn Fire Insurance atlases and photos to ownership indexes and old city directories, each item holds a small piece of our Wilmette history. One particularly memorable interaction was a visit from descendants of Archange Ouilmette, a Potawatomi woman after whom our village was named. I showed them biographical sketches written about their Native American ancestors, old documents, and maps that describe the area before the white settlers arrived, as well as suggested that they visit the site where their family’s ancestral cabin once stood. It’s moments like these that remind me of the importance of preserving and sharing our local heritage.
Many visitors to the Local History Room are particularly interested in learning about the history of their house. I have developed a worksheet with a checklist to help patrons navigate all the resources at our library and beyond that could help them research their home. While our Local History collection isn’t very big, there is always something that they can learn about their house at the library. Patrons can inspect the outline of their home in our Sanborn Fire Insurance atlas, trace the previous owners in our city directories and ownership indexes, and discover newspaper clippings or photos of their house in our House History binders. One patron even learned that her house was moved from another location in the village, and was originally built much earlier than she thought!
Ensuring the organization and accessibility of our Local History Room is a key part of my role. I make sure that materials in our Local History Room are carefully preserved and protected from damage, taking proactive measures to digitize or preserve fragile items. I work to preserve history from today, as well. I am always on the lookout for materials to add to our clippings files or library archive, and I evaluate potential donations to our Local History Collection. I occasionally collaborate with archivists from local museums to grow our collection or work on special projects. I rely on my understanding of archival best practices and organizational skills when managing our archival collections.
In addition to physical collections, I oversee our Digital Local History Collection, which offers digitized newspapers, photos, directories, oral histories, and more. Currently, I am leading a digitization project to digitize more of our newspapers to improve access to local news and obituaries. To ensure that these resources remain accessible to future generations, I regularly monitor our digital content and index non-digitized materials. I also enjoy curating digital exhibits that enhance the experience of our users and help them discover hidden treasures in our collections. Managing our Digital Local History Collection requires a slightly different set of skills, including digital preservation, indexing, understanding copyright, and basic HTML.
Library programming is another vital aspect of my job, allowing me to engage the community with genealogical and local history topics. From beginner topics to specialized research, I strive to offer something for everyone. Our annual House History workshop, in particular, has been a highlight, offering patrons a hands-on exploration of some of the resources in our Local History Room and fostering a deeper connection to our community’s past. While I usually hire an outside speaker for these programs, I do occasionally present programs myself, leaning into my teaching and lecturing skills. I recently gave a presentation about incorporating family stories and recipes into a family cookbook! I often collaborate with others at the library to enhance programming series with a genealogical or local history offering. For example, during the library’s Stories in Exile series last year, I coordinated a program about understanding migration patterns in Eastern Europe to trace your Jewish ancestors. I also partner with a local genealogical society during several programs throughout the year. Offering a variety of programs is highly enjoyable because I always learn something from our knowledgeable speakers, and I have the opportunity to meet other genealogists in the community.
Lastly, continuing education plays a vital role in my work, as staying informed of current genealogical practices ensures that I can provide patrons with the most up-to-date assistance. Whether it’s attending conferences, participating in webinars, or pursuing specialized training, there’s always something I can learn in order to better serve our community.
Beyond these core duties, I handle other responsibilities as needed, from updating genealogy andouts and collaborating with the local historical museum, to writing blog posts and preparing a quarterly genealogy e-newsletter. Additionally, I am honored to serve the larger library and archive community as a member of the Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board. No work day is identical to another, and I appreciate the variety of projects that I get to work on, as well as the genealogical mysteries that I get to help with! Each day brings new challenges and opportunities, deepening my appreciation for the stories that shape our community. Through all of these efforts, I strive to ensure that our collective and individual histories remain accessible and relevant for generations to come.
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