Thursday, September 26, 2024
In 2013, the Gatesville Public Library used funds donated to the library by the Jane Creel estate to purchase a new and more advanced microfilm reader to be incorporated into the genealogy room at the library.
For several years now, the microfilm reader has been out of service which has made it impossible for researchers to view documents dealing with Coryell County history.
According to the library director, Shea Harp, “The unit’s equipment has become outdated and required an older computer. It put us in a difficult position since the outdated ports required an older computer to operate. Eventually, the computer and program both went out, and we had no other way to utilize it.”
Harp continued, “We tried multiple adapters and methods, but it would not talk to the new computers. Eventually, the microfilm reader just became a table decoration.”
The reader is currently in the process of being repaired at the cost of $8,000, which is the same amount that they paid for it when it was purchased in 2013. “A brand-new microfilm reader with the same capabilities today can cost up to $30,000 due to inflation,” Harp said.
She reported that the microfilm reader, after repairs are complete, will be shipped back to the dealer in Austin. “Once it gets there, they will bring it back to us and provide training. Currently, I am the only one with experience and knowledge of working with it. The goal is making it available to the public by Oct. 1.”
In addition to the reader repairs, it has been suggested that the microfilm itself should be digitized. “This will depend on the priority of projects. We have many projects and plans for the materials in the genealogy area to ensure they are preserved and available for years to come. Repairing the microfilm reader is step one of this plan,” she said.
The microfilm collection housed at the library includes newspapers, census records, births, and tax rolls. They have The Gatesville Messenger from 1882, 1909, 1910, 1913, 1918, 1924 and 1933, as well as the years from 1955 until 2022. Also in the collection is the Coryell County News from 1932 until 1960.
Harp reports that some of this data is already online through different databases. “However, to get to some of these databases, you must pay for it or wait for lengthy periods for an agency to decide about sharing records,” she said.
She reported that, after the Coryell County documents are digitized, there will be no charge to the public. The records will be in the library and will be available through a hard drive, just like the current genealogy records are stored.
“If we were to digitize all of our films and suddenly have an issue with the saved files, that would leave us with lost information, and without the original film, we would be in trouble,” Harp said. She also stated that there would be no cost to the city to digitize the records since the library employees would be able to do the work themselves.
“Having a microfilm reading machine allows us to have the capability to rescan if need be. Managing digital and physical materials is a balance. The Library of Congress recommends libraries and patrons to have a back up to their back up, and that is what we are doing,” she said.
