Stake needed more room for Choir Practice
Our FamilySearch Discovery center was taken over by the stake and the room was made into a multipurpose room so the ward Choirs in the building, 3 wards, could practice during their block times. The room now has a piano, Chalkboard, and chairs in the middle of the room. We received an email that the center was being disbanded and that the equipment could be repurposed and or thrown away???? We approached the Stake Presidency with our complaints and his compromise was to install sliding curtains on both sides of the room that are lockable. So, we are now a multipurpose room. Will family Search pull our license since the room has become a Choir practice room instead of the dedicated FamilySearch Center???? I have spent 15 years of my life building up the Center to have it taken over by Choir Directors, Please let me know what my options are. We can pull the curtains back and use the computers and lock them up when were done. I hope this doesn't become the norm for the Church, Bro Rogers
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Will that stake locate another building dedicated for the most important eternal work outside a temple? Ours did. And then we got downsized as the Mission office relocated and took over half the building. But we got the stake presidency to agree that we could be open Sundays as a way to assist the sick and afflicted on the other side of the veil.
I wonder of your stake presidency believes that "you can do everything at home that can be done at a FamilySearch Center" - as long as you are affluent enough to spend $100 a month - per person - in doing so.
Wait until they "discover" that FamilySearch Centers are the sources that provide many of the names submitted to temples around the world. Or the "Apostolic Blessings Promised" list for diligently doing Family History that lead to sacred temple work.
Perhaps we need a sign over the door that says: "Entering the most sacred rooms - outside the temple."
Perhaps those leaders need to rewatch the following video > https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/session/gathering-israel-with-familysearch-centers-for-local-church-leaders (link fails, so go here instead) > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-UxU4a67Y8
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The FSC in my city is designed with lockable folding doors over the computers at one end and microfilm readers (now not used) at the other end. It's been that way as long as I've been using this FSC - more than 8 years. And it had been that way for many years before that.
The room is used for many purposes during the week. The FSC is only open one evening each week.
There are many records that researchers rely on that are only available at an FSC.
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We had a classroom that was big enough for 4 computers and a locked door, but the stake president said that would be to small, so I feel like the center has been desecrated , the sacredness of the dedicated room has been broken. Three of the consultants are from our ward and have been the ones that keep the center open. We all three approached the Stake presidency and had we not spoke up and stood firm, the Center would have been dismantled and there would be no center in the building. It is heart breaking to me... I thought family history research was a pinnacle of the Church, the whole purpose of having Temples, but I guess in our case I was wrong. I am thankful however that we have what we have and it is better than not having it at all. The one on one connection with patrons is still spiritual and the work can be done, but when you enter the room, it is a mess, not like a temple as it should be. But, We will do the best we can with what we have and be thankful..
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One evening a week of limited access is not enough.
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Very true, Robert. 90 minutes per week means that I must plan my research time very carefully.
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Inside that video is the "renaming" link that has been modified (updated) as follows > https://www.familysearch.org/en/centers/renaming-resources
When we downsized, we returned two semi loads of periodicals and books and microfilm readers and microfilm to Salt Lake. Since then we have added a "Memory Lane" room for converting analog to digital with three of the machines as listed at > https://www.familysearch.org/en/fieldops/familysearch-center-equipment
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FamilySearch will always support and sustain the local Priesthood. The Lord has placed those Priesthood leaders in their positions so that the Lord's work can move forward. We should remember the Lord called them and you to your current callings; you need to counsel with love and then follow the Priesthood in their decisions. It may take many years to see the wisdom in their decision, but you will always be blessed by following their council.
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Point taken. However...
It only takes minutes for certain FamilySearch Library "powers that be" to "educate" local leadership on misdirected use of FamilySearch equipment from being "incorrectly" allocated to stake and ward offices and use for its dedicated intended purposes, as shipped. Sometimes local leadership needs to be brought to their senses and repent of going down incorrect paths and being reminded of the "other half" of the mission of the restored gospel - and allocated resources. Heavy on "counsel and love".
I would expect a written "counsel and love" response to stake leadership, by General Authorities, that "decide under inspiration" to shut down FamilySearch Centers with the reasoning being 1) that "folks have access to all they need online from home to do genealogy research" (false premise) and 2) they need the space for classrooms (resolved by building more chapels). Resolved also by dedicating separate buildings as FamilySearch Centers (long term solution).
The Wenatchee Stake FamilySearch video posted earlier is enlightening as to how they decided to successfully reach out to the local communities instead of shutting down due to "less traffic" recently.
The Richland Washington Stake (Richland, Washington) is also a positive example of decades (since the 1940s) of regional support - partnered with the local Tri-City Genealogical Society - in having the foresight of repurposing the Bishop's Storehouse Building (relocated to Kennewick, Washington) into a FamilySearch Center (co-located with the Facilities Management office). Refurbished and downsized recently. Currently using nineteen networked computers. Using an increasing number of Service Missionaries from a pool of nine Stakes to help out each week along with regular volunteers - many whom are not members of the church - and Temple and FamilySearch Consultants.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Richland_Washington_FamilySearch_Center
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