Computer innovations & changes at Family History Library

The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah continues to grow and improve. Movement of administrative offices out of the library to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and the moving of more books back into the library were a start. Here’s just a few other things you may not be aware of if you haven’t visited in a while.

Digital copiers that copy images from films to CD-ROMS to save in copy charges and provide other advantages in publishing and recording information.

Print cards to allow fast printing from your workstation rather than having to go to the copy center.

Specialized printing from films to letter size, legal size or 11 x 17 size printouts.

Computer workstation monitors changing from CRT Monitors to Flat Screen and LCD or Plasma monitors for larger text, and more workspace for users.

USB drive support for computer users to upload and download files rather than use floppy drives or CD-ROM’s.

Consolidation of printers from individual workstations to larger and better quality print stations.

PAF genealogy software loaded on workstations to allow quick loading of files.

Network card and cable connections for users bringing their own workstations or laptop computers to the Library. This has led to laptop or luggable computers that can now access the library printers and network without cable connections. Just let the computer use its internal card to find the network and synch up.

Innovations are constantly taking place. Online catalog, Temple Ready software.[2011 Replaced by New FamilySearch/2015 Family Tree] Access to internet and other subscription databases from the library. Many favorites and links to help in research in all areas of the work including online research guides. [2011 BYU, the Library and other are digitizing Books and putting links to them online from the card catalog. Other companies are also adding digitized images to indexes.] And almost everything for free.

The wonders just keep happening.

If you have a computer you can even volunteer time to help in transcribing records to link indexes to images of various databases.

If you haven’t visited in a while, take a tour, you’ll be surprised at the innovations that continue to come forth.

Thanks to all who contribute their time for the indexing, to those who donate for computers, money, time and more to these and other projects for the benefit of all. A big round of applause to all those who seldom get any credit or appreciation for their donations.

All for now from the inside, James.