By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The family trees were long ago planted. Sometimes the branches are just difficult to see. Staff at the Great Bend Public Library wants to help those interested in genealogy uncover their pasts. Beginning Jan. 4, 2024, the library will host Genealogy Thursdays once a week from 11 a.m. to noon. Adult Services Assistant Nicole Garrett said the service will be similar to the library's Tech Tuesdays where staff offers assistance related to technology.
"You can come in if you're running into a roadblock where you're having difficulties finding information, and maybe you just need help because you're not aware of a genealogy service that's available," she said. "We'd be able to offer guidance and help them get past these roadblocks and find the family history they're looking for."
The library has access to various genealogy resources, including city directories, Kansas history books, and previous genealogy work that has been donated by other patrons. Staff can also get patrons acquainted with services offered by the state library.
"They have several resources we can use for no cost," Garrett said. "You just have to have a Kansas driver's license to access them, and there are several you don't even need that. They're free for all Kansans to use. There are various resources online that a lot of people just don't know about. We can help direct them to those resources to help them find more information about their family tree."
The Great Bend Public Library is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The library is closed on Sunday, and will be closed Dec. 30 through Jan. 1 for the New Year holiday.