Every day, it seems a coproration somewhere in the world announces a partnership with another corporation to improve customer service and lower expenses.
Among genealogy societies, mutually beneficial partnerships still seem relatively rare. We are, however, starting to see some movement in that area, such as the New England Historic Genealogical Society’s multi-year collaboration with FamilySearch to share online resources.
While some genealogy societies may say they are not large enough to sign a deal the size of the NEHGS-FamilySearch agreement, and they are probably right, they may be ignoring small, local opportunities that offer benefits to their members, without increasing costs.
The Société d’histoire et de généalogie de Matane logo, “I was there in the beginning.”
An example of a local partnership is the one announced recently by the history and genealogy society in Matane, Quebec, la Société d’histoire et de généalogie de Matane (SHGM). The society has signed an agreement with the local college library, the Bibliothèque Lucien-Lelièvre du Cégep de Matane.
As a result of this agreement, since April 1, 2015, SHGM members have access to the library’s collection and are able to use the resources at no charge. Members need only show their membership card to gain free access.
In return, students, teachers, and employees at the CEGEP will receive free access to the SHGM’s docuementation centre by showing their CEGEP library card.
CEGEPs are pre‑university colleges in Quebec that also offer vocational programs. The French acronym stands for Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel.
SHGM shows it knows how to do it.
Bravo, SHGM. Bonne idée.
Sounds like a win-win situation, while attracting a younger new wave to the genealogy world.