Genealogy and Local History Section
Strategic Plan
2007-2008
Mission
Our mission is to be a voice for genealogy and local history
librarians in the international information community, to facilitate
networking among subject specialists and libraries, archives, museums,
and related societies and institutions, and to encourage the
development of genealogy and local history collections and user
services.
Goals
GOAL 1: Be a voice for genealogy and local history
librarians in the international information community.
(Professional Priority: supporting the role of
libraries in society. Pillars: society, profession.)
Actions
1.1 Organize open session programmes on genealogy and local
history topics and, where appropriate, do so in collaboration with
relevant IFLA sections to reflect the relevance of these topics
across the information community.
1.2 Develop and promote a unified response to major developments
in the international information community, where they impact on
genealogy and local history library services.
GOAL 2: Facilitate and promote global networking among
genealogy and local history professionals and between libraries,
archives, and museums serving genealogists and family and local
historians.
(Professional Priority: developing library
professionals, supporting the infrastructure of library associations.
Pillars: profession, members. Partnerships: libraries, archives, and
museums.)
Actions
2.1 Promote and increase active participation in the GENLOC
listserv by making it a useful source of ideas and information for
genealogy and local history librarians.
2.2 Improve content of the semi-annual issues of the Section
newsletter by attracting articles from a broader range of
contributors.
2.3 Promote Section membership by contributing articles to key
genealogy and family and local history journals and speaking to
interested user and professional groups.
2.4 Create an information packet and develop a strategy to promote
the formation of genealogy and local history sections in national
library associations.
2.5 Promote cooperation between libraries, archives, and museums
by developing relationships and joint projects with relevant
international organizations.
GOAL 3: Support and promote improved traditional and
electronic genealogy and local history reference services.
(Professional Priority: promoting resource
sharing, developing library professionals, promoting standards,
guidelines, and best practices. Pillars: society, profession.)
Actions
3.1 Survey national libraries for genealogy and local history
services.
3.2 Collect guidelines for genealogy and family and local history
collections and services via GENLOC and professional contacts.
3.3 Share information about genealogy and family and local history
resources and best practices through IFLA conferences, the Section
newsletter, the GENLOC listserv, links on the GENLOC home page, and
joint programs with archives and museums.
GOAL 4: Proactively address data privacy and information
access concerns that affect genealogy and local history collections and
services.
(Professional Priority: supporting the role of
libraries in society, defending principles of freedom of information.
Pillars: society.)
Actions
4.1 Use the GENLOC listserv to identify and share information
about data privacy issues and legislation and other issues affecting
access to information.
4.2 Work with FAIFE to develop a code of ethics or guidelines for
responsibly providing access to genealogy and local history indices
and source documents on the Web.
4.3 Establish communications with international and national
archives, library, and museum associations to encourage working with
the proponents of data privacy in developing legislation that
addresses their concerns while preserving access to information for
legitimate genealogical and local historical purposes.
