Since 2003, the Washington State Genealogical Society has recognized more than 450 outstanding volunteers and teams, nominated by their local society or genealogical organization for their service and dedication. These volunteers and teams are the backbone of their local society, giving their time and expertise, to the organization and the field of genealogy. In the coming months, you will be introduced to each of the 2015 award recipients and learn why they received the 2015 WSGS Outstanding Volunteer and Team Award.

Today we’re introducing the Library Team at the Seattle Genealogical Society (SGS). The team was recognized for its dedicated volunteer efforts to enlarge and improve the society’s library.

SGS Library Team

The team included Dona Bubelis, Daniel P. Harmon, Kathi McGinnes, Charlotte Wixon, and Ann Wright.

Under the expert direction of committee chair Dan Harmon, an impressive team of SGS volunteers was recruited for the new Library Committee. Ms. Ann Wright, assisted primarily by Ms. Charlotte Wixon, took the lead in the herculean task of cataloging the almost endless number of boxes in the backlog of donated books. Ms. Wright oversaw the day-to-day operation of the library, while Ms. Wixon looked after the shelved collection. Ms. Wixon also took the lead in book repair, a skill which the committee acquired through special training.

Ms. Dona Bubelis, who works with library periodicals, coordinated efforts to develop the collection by identifying important new works for acquisition. She was also in charge of eBay sales, a source of funding for the SGS Library Fund.

Ms. Kathi McGinnes played a key role in maintaining the ever-changing collection of genealogical websites available for the use by library patrons, a role which will grow in importance in the months and years ahead.

The members of the SGS Library Team made a real difference in the quality and quantity of the SGS library collection. They richly deserved being recipients of a WSGS Outstanding Team Award.

For more information on the WSGS Outstanding Volunteer Award program, visit the Recognition page of the WSGS website or contact Roxanne Lowe, Recognition Chair, at Roxanne@thekeeffes.com.