Do I have to return Microfilm and Microfiche or not?

KellieNuss

I work in the temple on Wednesdays, so I only have access to the slides from the monthly meetings. From the June 21 Center Chatter meeting slide deck, a bullet point on slide 6 says (emphasis added), "ALL microfilm and microfiche MUST be returned to Salt Lake."

This is confusing in light of the wording in the update from March 9, 2023, which says (emphasis added) "FamilySearch centers SHOULD counsel with priesthood leaders to decide whether to maintain microfilm or microfiche collections. Centers and affiliate libraries CAN return microfilm that is available online or otherwise not needed. Return unneeded items to the FamilySearch. As more images become available online, periodically reevaluate whether to retain microfilm holdings."

Additionally, the last time I spoke to a volunteer on the help line, and she was surprised I still had microfilms, I asked her about that and she said all microfilms were to be returned. When I said that we have some patrons still using them, she immediately capitulated to "In that case, it's up to local priesthood leaders."

Whenever I bring up sending microfilm back, my long-time volunteers push back hard, saying that patrons were promised the use of the films indefinitely, digital versions are difficult to read, our patrons will be disappointed, etc. At this point in time, I would estimate that I have 5 or 6 patrons and volunteers making regular use of microfilms.

It would be helpful if there could be a unified message from FamilySearch to help me make the case to my patrons and 40-year volunteers who feel such ownership of the center and its resources. Is it MUST and ALL or is it SHOULD, CAN, and UNNEEDED?

Thanks, Sister Nuss, Columbia, Maryland

Marlene O'Brien Nichols

If I understand it correctly, with the remodels that will be done to the authorized centers, there will NOT be any microfilm/fiche readers to be able to read the film/fiche.

KellieNuss

Thanks. We still have 3 working readers and have not heard anything about remodeling. Maybe that is something happening in Utah?

WilbergClarkN

Remodeling will be done in all centers in the US, per the guidance put forth in the 1st Wed Tech Talk Zoom Meetings.

KellieNuss

Thanks for this clarification, but it doesn’t really answer my question. It could be years till our center is remodeled. No one in our FM group or priesthood leadership has any idea that this is in the works. We still don’t have FamilySearch Center signs to replace the Family History Center signs.

Does this mean I can wait to send my films back until a renovation is announced and underway?

Lani Petersen Reynolds

I have the same questions here in Camarillo, CA. No one seems to know about updates or even really wants to know as they want to use half of our FCS for a classroom as mentioned by the FM person. We have kept some of our microfilm and microfiche because two users still want to use them.

We will keep one reader for each as strongly requested by those who use them. I just asked them to try to finish by the end of the year.

We don't have our signage yet either. It just takes time as multiple projects are going on .