FamilySearch announced a few days ago a major change to requesting microfilms in their library.
Here’s what they had to say:
“Due to the rapidly diminishing supply of microfilm, the ability to request copies of microfilms from the Granite Mountain Record Vault to be viewed in the FamilySearch Library will no longer be available after Saturday, July 15, 2023. We are currently working on alternate methods of access for microfilmed records that cannot be released to the public online. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we develop these alternative options.”
In a comment on Facebook, David E. Rencher, Director of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, wrote, “They’re not removing what’s already there. This (decision) pertains to the service to request a microfilm that isn’t in the FSL (FamilySearch Library). They’re look for alternatives now to still give access to the materials on the microfilm original that may have online restrictions. It’s a complicated legal rights issue to navigate.”
This sounds like a copyright/permission issue regarding digitizing records versus making them available on microfilm.
