New York State Library - Please Seek STATE Funds for ProQuest/HeritageQuest REMOTE Access Databases

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    Janet Welch, New York State Librarian & Assistant Commissioner for Libraries, New York State Library, Cultural Education Center, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230
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Whereas ProQuest has recently announced they will be eliminating remote, in-home access to the members of genealogical and historical societies, and

Whereas ProQuest is the company that provides HeritageQuest Online, a collection of online databases that contain images of original U.S. census records, Revolutionary War pension applications, more than 20,000 local and family history books, Freedman's Bank records, and on-line REMOTE access to Historical Newspapers, including but not limited to, the New York Times Historical Newspapers 1851-2003, and

Whereas many smaller local Libraries have found it cost-prohibitive to offer access to ProQuest New York Times Historical Newspapers 1851-2003 either in the Library or by REMOTE internet access, and

Whereas, numerous other United States STATE libraries offer REMOTE in home access to HeritageQuest Online, a collection of online databases that contain images of original U.S. census records, Revolutionary War pension applications, more than 20,000 local and family history books, Freedman's Bank records, and Historical Newspapers, including but not limited to, the New York Times Historical Newspapers 1851-2003, and

Whereas, we the undersigned, members of the New York Historical and Genealogical community are now denied REMOTE in-home access to the aforementioned databases via our membership to various genealogical & historical societies, and

Whereas, we the undersigned are further denied this access because many of our smaller local libraries which we also support with our local tax dollars, find it cost prohibitive to offer some or all of these services in the Library and/or REMOTELY to their patrons, and

Whereas we are citizens of the State of New York seeking to preserve New York State History, Local History and Family History in our local communities, and

Whereas, we the undersigned, often find it nearly impossible and cost prohibitive to travel to Albany or New York City from far distant points within the State of New York to conduct in-library research, and

Whereas, the State of New York is very adept at passing down unfunded mandates to municipalities which is one of the reasons our local taxes are unbearable to a point of nearly forcing many out of their homes and the state, and

Whereas, often local funding to local libraries is cut, or is not nearly as generous as it should be, as a result of state mandates which then puts more of a tax burden on the local taxpayer via library district taxes, and

Whereas, If we want our libraries to keep running and offering up-to-date services we have to pass the budgets they present in our already overburdened state of tax liability, and

Whereas, it would seem that it would be more cost effective for all NY local libraries to refer their patrons to the STATE Library by obtaining a State Library Borrower Card to obtain access to these databases either in-library or remotely, and

Whereas, it would also seem that the STATE Library would be able to obtain a more cost effective contract with ProQuest/HeritageQuest than the smaller local libraries.

Now therefore be it resolved by the undersigned that they believe if the State of New York were to provide in-library and REMOTE Access to HeritageQuest and ProQuest Historical NY Times 1851-2003 through the STATE Library - it would be a way for the State to support the Historical and Genealogical Community as well as taxpayers Statewide, and

Be it further resolved, by the undersigned that we respectfully request and would greatly appreciate your investigating all means by which STATE FUNDING can be utilized to provide holders of valid New York State Public Library Cards with REMOTE on-line internet access to HeritageQuest Online, a collection of online databases including original U.S. census records, Revolutionary War pension applications, more than 20,000 local and family history books, Freedman's Bank records, AND ProQuest Historical Newspapers, including the New York Times Historical Newspapers 1851-2003.

679 Signatures

  • Doreen T
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Poughkeepsie New York Dutchess County
    • Zip Code
    • 12603
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 07/31/06
  • John M
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Huntington, Suffolk County
    • Zip Code
    • 11743
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • August 2, 2006
  • G. S
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Eastport/Suffolk
    • Zip Code
    • 11941
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • August 7, 2006
  • Virginia A. B
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Poughkeepsie, Dutchess, NY
    • Zip Code
    • 12601
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 30, 2006
    • Comments
    • Please seek this STATE funding Now!
  • David L. R
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Rochester, Monroe Co., NY
    • Zip Code
    • 14625
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/30/2006
  • William S. H
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Union Springs, Cayuga County
    • Zip Code
    • 13160
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 30, 2006
    • Comments
    • В
  • Regina H
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Nanuet, Rockland County
    • Zip Code
    • 10954
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 30, 2006
    • Comments
    • I belong to the NYG&B, but they are losing Proquest by next April, and it will be a great loss to researchers.
  • Merry G
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Fulton, Oswego Co. NY
    • Zip Code
    • 13069
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 30, 2006
  • Christine F
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Castleton, Rensselaer
    • Zip Code
    • 12033
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 07/30/2006
  • Charlene S
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Altamont, Albany Co., NY
    • Zip Code
    • 12009
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/30/06
  • Judith C
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Mahopac Putnam County New York
    • Zip Code
    • 10541-2037
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 30, 2006
  • Carol W
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Saratoga Springs
    • Zip Code
    • 12866
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 30Jul2006
  • Judy A W
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • La Grange, Dutchess
    • Zip Code
    • 12603
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 30 July 2006
    • Comments
    • Please give us who live a distance from Albany the ability to access the digital databases from home. A round trip to Albany this week cost $15.00. It is cost prohibitive for me to drive to Albany each time I would like to do searches in the Proquest NY Times and Heritage Quest. I am sure local libraries will soon stop offering Herirtage Quest to us at home. We need our State Library to have the databases available to us off site that our local libraries can no longer afford to subscribe to.
  • Jean Ann Orser L
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Montrose, Westchester County, NY
    • Zip Code
    • 10548
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 30, 2006
  • Charles S Latham S
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Charlton, Saratoga
    • Zip Code
    • 12019-2612
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 07/30/06
  • Diane M
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • 513 6th Avnue #2, Troy, Rennselaer, NY
    • Zip Code
    • 12182
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 31, 2006
  • Joy R
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Brooklyn, Kings County
    • Zip Code
    • 11218
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 31, 2006
    • Comments
    • The State of New York is frequently and justifiably a model for other states. In this instance, our state is failing to provide an educational, historical, and cultural opportunity to its citzens that so many other states already have. Let's catch up to what those states are doing.
  • Irene P
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • West Sand Lake-Rensselear
    • Zip Code
    • 12196
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 30,2006
  • Beth H
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Middleborough, MA
    • Zip Code
    • 02346
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/06
    • Comments
    • While I am not a resident of New York state at this time, I was born and raised in Troy. It is difficult for me to get to the state archives and expensive. I would be more than willing to pay a fee to access the archives online as I am sure many would. Please consider making this valuable information available to the many who find the trip to the archives cost, time and distance prohibitive. Thank you for your consideration.
  • Lori M
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Northville, NY Fulton
    • Zip Code
    • 12134
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 31, 2006
  • Judith K. B
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Canandaigua, NY
    • Zip Code
    • 14424
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/2006
    • Comments
    • В
  • Barbara S
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • New York, New York
    • Zip Code
    • 10025
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 30, 2006
    • Comments
    • Member, Association of Professional Genealogists
  • Kathleen B
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Wynantskill Rensselaer County NY
    • Zip Code
    • 12198
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 31, 2006
  • Dean F
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Rochester Monroe County
    • Zip Code
    • 14610
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 31 July 2006
  • Kathie D. H
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Beacon, NY - Dutchess County
    • Zip Code
    • 12508
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 31 Jul 2006
    • Comments
    • I rely heavily on this online database for research for a family organization to which I belong.
  • Kristine K W
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Troy, Rensselaer
    • Zip Code
    • 12180
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/2006
  • Rebecca R
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Troy, Rensselaer Co., NY
    • Zip Code
    • 12180
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/06
    • Comments
    • I use this database a lot in my work as a Professional Genealogist. I currently have access through NYGBS but will be losing that soon when ProQuest no longer allows access via Genealogical Societies.
  • Robert G
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Schenectady,schenectady
    • Zip Code
    • 12306
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 08/01/2006
  • Elizabeth S
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • New Lebanon, NY, Columbia County
    • Zip Code
    • 12125
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 07/31/2006
  • Ruth O
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Hudson, NY Columbia County
    • Zip Code
    • 12534
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/06
  • Louis C
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • South Amboy
    • Zip Code
    • 08879
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 07/31/06
  • Ruth Jordan T
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Wasilla, Alaska
    • Zip Code
    • 99687
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/06
    • Comments
    • Distance to New York is prohibitive
  • Linda M. N
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Escondido, San Diego, CA
    • Zip Code
    • 92025
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 31, 2006
    • Comments
    • I was born in NY, lived in the state half my life. Though I now live in CA, I would be willing to pay an out-of-state membership to access these files on the Internet. A library serves best when the largest number of people have access to their holdings. Sincerely, Linda M.Nevin
  • Cheryl G
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Yaphank, Suffolk County
    • Zip Code
    • 11980
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 31 JULY 2006
  • Cheryl G
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Yaphank, Suffolk County
    • Zip Code
    • 11980
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 31 JULY 2006
  • Prof. David E.P. O
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Fairport, Monroe County, NY
    • Zip Code
    • 14450
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 31, 2006
    • Comments
    • As an Adjunct Professor of Communications at RIT and a Member of the Empire State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, I am supporting this petition as a way of promoting awareness of New York's proud history.
  • Judy S
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Westfield, NY
    • Zip Code
    • 14787
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/06
  • Rosemary G. R
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Hamden, Delaware Co., NY
    • Zip Code
    • 13782
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/2006
    • Comments
    • В
  • Laurel C
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Melrose, Rensselaer
    • Zip Code
    • 12121
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/06
    • Comments
    • В
  • Ann P
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Machias Cattaraugus Co.
    • Zip Code
    • 14101
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/06
  • Margaret S
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Liverpool, Onondaga
    • Zip Code
    • 13090
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/2006
  • Deborah R. W
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Westfield, NY, Chautauqua
    • Zip Code
    • 14787
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/2006
    • Comments
    • В
  • Jean K
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Carle Place, Nassau
    • Zip Code
    • 11514
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/2006
  • Patricia W
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Waverly, Tioga County
    • Zip Code
    • 14892
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 31, 2006
  • Rose S
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • LeRoy, Genesee, N.Y.
    • Zip Code
    • 14482
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 07/31/2006
  • Judith A. S
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Delmar, Albany County, NY
    • Zip Code
    • 12054-1213
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 31, 2006
  • Grace M
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Formerly of Williamsville, Erie Co
    • Zip Code
    • 14221
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/2006
    • Comments
    • Family in NY since 1799
  • Marjorie E
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Lisbon Falls, Maine
    • Zip Code
    • 04252
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 31/7/2006
    • Comments
    • While I am not a resident of new York state, my parents came from Saratoga Co and Tompkins Co. and so I do a lot of research in New York state. I am willing to pay a fee so please obtain these services.
  • Rose H
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Lakeside, San Diego, CA
    • Zip Code
    • 92040
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • July 31, 2006
    • Comments
    • As a native Western NYer married to a Long Island native, we have many family roots and ties to NYState and would very much appreciate easier access to databases and records housed at the NYS Library System via the Internet for geneology purposes.
  • Barbara O
    • City, & NY County of Residence
    • Farmingville, Suffolk County
    • Zip Code
    • 11738
    • Date I am Signing this Petition
    • 7/31/06