The Toronto Public Library announced yesterday that FamilySearch has enabled access to some its restricted digital microfilm collections on computer workstations in Toronto Public Library branches.
This is good news for Toronto-area genealogists, especially since FamilySearch discontinued its microfilm lending service in early September. Previously, as an affiliate public library, the Toronto Public Library had participated in the microfilm lending service by providing a microfilm pick-up location at Toronto Reference Library.
Restricted access to a digital microfilm will display with the camera and key icon:
After logging in to a Toronto Public Library branch computer, proceed to the FamilySearch website (www.familysearch.org), and search for a digital microfilm collection. The restricted access digital microfilm collections will display on Toronto Public Library computers without the key icon above the camera because access is ‘unlocked’ through the connection to a Toronto Public Library IP address.
This restricted digital microfilm access is only available through a computer workstation physically located in a Toronto Public Library branch. Remote access is not available.
Learn more about how to access FamilySearch microfilms at branches on the Toronto Public Library’s Local History and Genealogy Blog.
Good initiative from TPL. How many other libraries will take the initiative? Ask your’s.
According to David Rencher, CGO of FamilySearch:
“450 affiliates are currently being contacted and given instructions on how to gain access.”