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Have you ever wondered about your roots? If so, the SOUTH PLAINS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY (SPGS) is the place to volunteer. Since 1961, SPGS has maintained an extensive collection of data for genealogists, to include thousands of books and an extensive microfilm and CD-ROM collection. Its primary activity is to support the operation of the genealogy section in the Mahon Library and provide the public with education and information related to family genealogies and local, regional, and state history. In addition, the SPGS makes numerous gifts of genealogy materials such as books, periodicals, microfilm, and CD-ROMs to the library on a continuing basis. All of these gifts and services are made available to the general public without regard to the library users’ association with the SPGS.

The SPGS provides monthly programs on specific genealogical research issues that include instruction in computer research and writing personal family histories. These monthly programs are free and open to the public. In addition, the group also sponsors two seminars or workshops each year on the study of genealogical topics. These two annual events are open to the general public, and a small admission fee is usually charged to cover expenses and collect revenue for the purchase of books, microfilm etc. for Mahon’s genealogy section. A newsletter is also sent out to regular members, prospective members, genealogy societies, and libraries. The SPGS has responded to the increasing interest in computer research by establishing a website at http://members.door.net/spgs/.

SPGS trains a knowledgeable group of volunteers who staff the library’s genealogy section on an organized and continuing basis for 3 hour periods once a week, from 9:00 a.m. to noon or from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. If you wish, you may also serve as needed when another volunteer cannot be there. Volunteers will be personally trained to help people understand how to run the genealogy computer programs, how to use the census indexes for the 50 US States and where to find the microfilms in the file drawers, show researchers where the different state books are located on the shelves, and try to help persons with their telephone inquiries. This is interesting and fun work which will enable you to meet people from all over our state as well as others and aid them in research on their family trees.

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: 

BUDDY HOLLY CENTER, 1801 Avenue G, has Summer Showcase Concerts every Thursday evening until August 25th from 5:30- 7:30pm in the Meadows Courtyard. These free concerts feature regional musicians and provide songwriters a forum to present their original music to the community. Volunteers are needed to set out chairs, pick up trash, sit by the donation table and work the information counter inside. Occasionally volunteers are needed in the Gift Shop too. Volunteers may dress comfortably for our West Texas evenings. You can still come help out and enjoy the live music from great bands this summer. 

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF AGRICULTURE, 1501 Canyon Lakes Drive, would appreciate volunteers especially during the summer months. It is open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The museum is located south of Mackenzie Park on East Broadway in Lubbock. Volunteers will greet the public, answer the phone, visit with guests and handle the gift shop. Duties are minimal but very important to the success of the American Museum of Agriculture. 

To volunteer, or for more information about these or other volunteer positions, please call the RSVP office at 742-2423.

HOW do I join RSVP?
Becoming a member of RSVP is simple as long as you are at least 55 and have some time to volunteer. Just call the office at 742-2423 and chat with Ronda Casey or Bonne Phillips about your interests. If you are not certain what you would like to do, we can mention several current volunteer opportunities and send you a list of the sort of jobs which RSVP members are presently doing to whet your appetite. If you have a special skill or talent that you would like to utilize, we will search to find just the right job for you. Just mail in the enrollment form (requires Adobe Reader) and we will call you!