Introduction to the Library

Transcript

Narrator: Welcome to the Minnesota Historical Society’s Gale Family Library, the best place in the world to find information about Minnesota’s people, places, history and culture. The library is where you can research what interests you most, whether it's your family, community, business, hobby, scholarly project, school project, or something else. The Gale Family Library is packed with materials the Minnesota Historical Society has been collecting since 1849.

Girl: This is super cool!

Narrator:Books, maps, manuscripts, photos, newspapers, government records and much more. We’re located on the second floor of the Minnesota History Center in downtown St. Paul. The library is free and open to the public. You don’t need to be a member of the Society to use it. We serve researchers of all types and ages.

Man: Welcome to the library.

Narrator:Visitors first check in at the registration desk, and need to show an i.d. to get a library card. Groups of six or more should contact library staff at least two days before visiting. Inside the library, staff at the reference desk will help you find what you’re looking for. Most of our collections are kept in secure storage areas. After you fill out a call slip for the item you want, staff will deliver it to your table.

Man 2: Thank you.

Narrator:The Gale Family Library is different from many other libraries. All of our materials must be used inside the library and cannot be checked out. But library staff can photocopy or scan most materials for you. You can also order copies of oversized drawings, maps, and media. [ reel spinning ] Some materials are on microfilm, which helps us protect fragile original documents. In the microfilm room, you can dive right into your research without waiting for staff to retrieve microfilm for you, but staff are available if you need help finding materials, printing or using a machine. Visitors are welcome to bring laptops, tablets, and digital cameras into the library. Most materials can be photographed, without a flash. Just fill out a camera use form. To protect the collections, we require that food and drinks be left outside the library and that visitors only use pencil when taking notes. Also, bags, purses, backpacks, and coats can be stored in lockers during your visit. [ click ] Sometimes you don’t have to visit the library to find what you need. You can search the online library catalogue and databases, email or call a librarian with questions during open hours, or use one of our research services. Once again, welcome to the Gale Family Library. We look forward to working with you!

Man 3: Thank you so much.