Public libraries and family history

In May 2024, I was in the suburbs of Chicago and saw this in a library. A wonderful resource provided at public expense for residents to preserve family history. Although when I visited the library (it was  a weekend) there was nobody using it, a helpful staff told me that residents have made use of this facility. They are initially helped by the staff till they get a hang of it.

Pictures, videos, letters, documents stored in the now-defunct mode can be restored and given a new lease of life. It is really thoughtful of the local government to have such facilities installed, and make it so accessible. I am not aware whether this facility exists across the US, but I am quite sure nothing like this happens in the UK.

Public libraries are struggling in the UK due to budget cuts. Changing demographics, reading habits, and the rise of social media have contributed to the decline. However, the big and established libraries still get the footfall and readers have to be told to start vacating as the closing time nears. Libraries in London also get busy during exam times, when kids come together to study.

Most of the council libraries in the UK have subscribed to Press Reader bringing newspapers, magazines, and periodicals from around the world. During COVID the libraries stopped stocking newspapers and subscribed to Press Reader, thus giving access to those with a library card. If you have a library card, you can log in using your card number and password.

The UK has around 650 libraries funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Scottish by birth, Carnegie made money in the US where his family moved to escape poverty. He became a steel tycoon and one of the richest Americans. The very first one was opened in 1883 in Dunfermline, Scotland where he was born. These libraries are spread all over the UK and became an important part of the local communities. They still exist, but many have been a victim of budget cuts and apathy.