New York State Library - Please Seek STATE Funds for ProQuest/HeritageQuest REMOTE Access Databases
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Author:
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Send To:
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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Sponsored By:
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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.
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
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Judith S C
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Long Beach, Nassau County
- Zip Code
- 11561
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- May 10, 2007
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Moriba J
- City, & NY County of Residence
- NY, NY
- Zip Code
- 10030
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 10 May 2007
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Antonia Cottrell M
- City, & NY County of Residence
- New York, New York
- Zip Code
- 10023
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- May 13, 2007
- Comments
- Please allow remote access.
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Kathleen A. K
- City, & NY County of Residence
- New Hyde Park, Nassau County
- Zip Code
- 11040
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- July 15, 2007
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Peter S
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Pleasantville, Westchester
- Zip Code
- 10570
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- July 19, 2007
- Comments
- As a genealogist I can attest that it would be a terrific resource for all NYers - young and old alike. Students could make use of it as well.
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lee b
- City, & NY County of Residence
- nyc,queens
- Zip Code
- 11357
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 7/21/2007
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Barbara L
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Onondaga Hill, Onondaga
- Zip Code
- 13215
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- August 29 2007
- Comments
- A tremendous help to save our history!
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Gordon M
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Levittown, Pa.
- Zip Code
- 19055
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 11/12/07
- Comments
- Keep up your great work
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lulu lee n
- City, & NY County of Residence
- hopewell jct dutchess
- Zip Code
- 12533
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 11/24/2007
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Debra D
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Lk Carmel NY Putnam Co
- Zip Code
- 10512
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 01/01/2008
- Comments
- Please consider seriously this request. It would give genealogist access to a wealth of information and help find past lost family members. Thk you.
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Nancy P
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Tully, NY
- Zip Code
- 13159
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 1/14/2008
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Catherine M
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Cold Spring
- Zip Code
- 10516
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 01/28/08
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Debra S
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Brooklyn, Kings County
- Zip Code
- 11229
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- February 8, 2008
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Karen C
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Fairport, Monroe
- Zip Code
- 14450
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 4/2/2008
- Comments
- genealogist
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Ralph Van W
- City, & NY County of Residence
- norwich, chenango county
- Zip Code
- 13815
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 04/13/08
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Windsor B M
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Hopewell Jct,Dutchess
- Zip Code
- 12533
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- June 23, 2008
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Thomas L D
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Schenectady, Schenectady County, NY
- Zip Code
- 12304
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- July 12, 2008
- Comments
- I would pay for access, but that is not offered, so please help us in anyway. I am sure more would sign the petition if they were aware of it. I only found it by accident.
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Thomas S. R
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Monticello, Sullivan County
- Zip Code
- 12701
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- August 3, 2008
- Comments
- The state should have no higher priority than educating the community.
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John T. D
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana
- Zip Code
- 47710-3068
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- Oct. 17, 2008
- Comments
- As a Co-Founder of Doty/Doughty DNA as much online material as exist must be kept availible. Why anyone would want to drop any online material from the past is just plain wrong.
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CATHLEEN C
- City, & NY County of Residence
- BLOOMINGBURG, NY ORANGE COUNTY
- Zip Code
- 12721
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 10/22/2008
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Lee Ellen H
- City, & NY County of Residence
- 40 W. 72nd St. #47
- Zip Code
- 10023
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- November 15, 2008
- Comments
- A valuable service
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Pamela Joan M
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Melbourne
- Zip Code
- 3158
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 1-1-2009
- Comments
- I may not be a resident but it seems that they just like taking things away from ordinary people.
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Charles F
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Schenectady
- Zip Code
- 12309
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 2 / 04 / 09
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Amy F
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Pawling, NY Dutchess
- Zip Code
- 12564
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- February 23, 2009
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Russell L
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Fairport
- Zip Code
- 14450
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 5/17/2009
- Comments
- Heritage Quest is an extremely important service, and with limited mobility, home access is vitally important.
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Capricia A
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Brooklyn, NY
- Zip Code
- 11226
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- November 10, 2009
- Comments
- Please do not eliminate New York State Library Access Online - ProQuest/Heritage Quest. The people need to reseasrch about their family ancestry, genealogy, etc. Don't Eliminate! Thank You!
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Julia L
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Montville
- Zip Code
- 07045
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 4/5/2011
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C. Theresa M
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Wappingers Falls, Dutchess Cty
- Zip Code
- 12590
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 7 May 2011
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David B
- City, & NY County of Residence
- Rochester, NY Monroe County
- Zip Code
- 14624
- Date I am Signing this Petition
- 01/17/2013
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679
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