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Archiver > GENMSC > 2001-03 > 0984243176


From: "Cynthia M. Van Ness" <>
Subject: Wuerttemberg index: end of the line for print?
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 16:52:56 GMT



An email acquaintance brought to my attention the fact that the publishers
of v.8, the last volume of Trudy Schenk's Wuerttemberg passenger list
index, might release it *only* on CD-ROM, which would be a real hardship
for those libraries, genealogical societies, and individuals who already
bought v.1-7 in book form.

CD-ROMs have their advantages, but longevity, compared to print, is not
one of them. Morevover, switching formats mid-series is simply a dreadful
idea.

It needn't be an either/or situation. Heritage Quest recently published
the New York 1870 Census Index on CD-ROM and print. My library bought the
print volumes, which will never crash or fall captive to an obsolete
operating system or software package.

A chorus of support for publishing the final volume in print *and* CD-ROM
would help. Send those letters to:

> Jennifer Utley
> 360 West 4800 North
> Provo, UT 84604

Postal mail, on society or library letterhead if possible, will carry more
weight than email, especially if you already own v.1-7.

This message may be freely forwarded to anyone who might be interested.
The edited text of the message from the person who brought this to my
attention follows.

*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:**:-.,_,.-*
Cynthia Van Ness, MLS, / http://cynthia.is-online.net
"Cities need old buildings so badly it is probably impossible for vigorous
streets and districts to grow without them." --Jane Jacobs, 1961


--- Celia Mitschelen <> wrote:
> From: "Celia Mitschelen" <>
> Subject: Something a librarian should be interested in --I think
> Date: Fri, 9 Mar 2001 17:49:40 -0600
>
> Hi Cynthia,
>
> The subject here concerns a German Reference book. I know this is
> not your
> area of interest but in preparation for a German Conference this
> summer I
> was talking with our speaker who is Trudy Schenk a co-author of the
> 7 volume
> Wuerttemberg Emigration Index, a great resource for genealogist
> from that area.

She told me that the 8th and final volume was completed but
> she did
> not know if it would be printed. Of course I was shocked at this,
> all the
> years of work and it would not be published. It turned out that
> what she
> meant was that they were thinking about only putting it on a CD;
> not printed copies.
>
> I use the computer and I know how great CDs are (sometimes) but not
> to print
> such an important book to be placed in libraries is to me
> unbelievable.
>
> I said as much and apparently she feels the same way because she
> thought it
> would be a good idea if I expressed my opinion to a person that is
> apparently involved in this decision. She gave me a name and an
> email address.
>
> I realize CDs are cheaper to produce than books but does it have to
> be and
> either/ or situation? This book is not one that a lot of people
> would buy, I
> understand that. I only bought the one volume that covered the area
> I am
> researching but I do want to see all of them in the IGS library and
> be able to refer people to them.
>
> The contact I was given is:
> Jennifer Utley
> 360 West 4800 North
> Provo, UT 84604
>
> Regards,
>
> Celia Mitschelen
> Winterset, IA


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