Missionaries-Ready for the Marathon During the week of July 13 through the 18th the Library held its first St. George FamilySearch Marathon. The idea of the event came about as a way to increase attendance at the FamilySearch Library during the generally slow month of July, and it worked!
Each of our 52 classes were taught during those five days, and some were offered more than once. Each morning one class would begin at 9:00 in the Training Room and the next class one hour later at 10 am in the Class Room; this pattern followed every hour with a new class starting on the hour. This method allowing attendees effective class time, as well as periods for questions and hands on computer experience in each class. Though it wasn't possible for the guests to . . .
Each of our 52 classes were taught during those five days, and some were offered more than once. Each morning one class would begin at 9:00 in the Training Room and the next class one hour later at 10 am in the Class Room; this pattern followed every hour with a new class starting on the hour. This method allowing attendees effective class time, as well as periods for questions and hands on computer experience in each class. Though it wasn't possible for the guests to . . .
attend each class, every class was well attended and some were so full that additional seating was needed.
In addition to the hour and a half classes, our popular "In & Out" classes were offered every hour in the Multi-purpose Room. Each of these 15-30 minutes classes offered quick training in popular family history topics such as merging dubplicates in FamilySearch, Tree Connect, and Pandora's Box. For this part of the event, the "In and Outs" were offered every hour on the hour throughout the day in the Multipurpose Room. Also a number of lecture classes, that did not require computers, took place in our Auditorium room. As each new hour approached, a special, easily heard announcement introduced what classes would be starting on the hour. The Library was not as quiet as it usually is, but some how it was still wonderfully inviting and rewarding amid all the stimulating activity.
In addition to the hour and a half classes, our popular "In & Out" classes were offered every hour in the Multi-purpose Room. Each of these 15-30 minutes classes offered quick training in popular family history topics such as merging dubplicates in FamilySearch, Tree Connect, and Pandora's Box. For this part of the event, the "In and Outs" were offered every hour on the hour throughout the day in the Multipurpose Room. Also a number of lecture classes, that did not require computers, took place in our Auditorium room. As each new hour approached, a special, easily heard announcement introduced what classes would be starting on the hour. The Library was not as quiet as it usually is, but some how it was still wonderfully inviting and rewarding amid all the stimulating activity.
Indexers at Work In addition to the many classes offered, an Indexing Marathon was added to the same six days in our research room where we have 45 wide screen computers. Our goal, which originally apparently showed a lack of faith, was set at 5,000 indexed names within the designated days. The numerous indexers blew past that number by Tuesday so a new goal was set for 5,000 per day which propelled past that number on Wednesday. After all the totals were in on late Saturday afternoon, the final number of indexed names reached 50,954. Everyone who participated should be greatly pleased. This number was far more than was anticipated.
The number of visitors to the St. George FamilySearch Library for the Marathon Week was not available, however, over 512 visitors attend the classes. This count did not include the Youth Discovery Classes that were going on at the same time; nor did it count all the indexers that came in to use the computers in the research room.
The number of visitors to the St. George FamilySearch Library for the Marathon Week was not available, however, over 512 visitors attend the classes. This count did not include the Youth Discovery Classes that were going on at the same time; nor did it count all the indexers that came in to use the computers in the research room.
In addition to the classes and indexing projects, snack were offered in the Break Room along with bottled water. The missionaries provided the snacks and added to the environment of the event as they dressed in "Marathon" attire and helped to make everyone feel welcomed as they answered questions and assisted wherever they were needed.
Each of the six successful days helped to make this first "Marathon" event worth repeating in a similar format hopefully in the near future. When such an event is on the calendar, the details will be made public in this blog and in the FamilySearch Library.
Each of the six successful days helped to make this first "Marathon" event worth repeating in a similar format hopefully in the near future. When such an event is on the calendar, the details will be made public in this blog and in the FamilySearch Library.