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Ancestry Library Remote Access ends Dec. 31, 2021

Ancestry Library Logo

By Feng_Library

Fri, Nov 26, 2021

Dear OPL customers,

We regret to announce that Ancestry Library will end remote access on Dec.31, 2021.  Ancestry’s vendor, Proquest sent this message: “Ancestry cares deeply about libraries and their patrons, but they have agreements with publishers and other business considerations that prevent them from offering remote access permanently.  Consequently, we must ask that you remove all remote access points from your site by December 31 st.” 

Onsite access remains unchanged. Patrons can access Ancestry Library Edition through desktop computers provided by your library or their own personal laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. 

Along with other public libraries across the country, Ottawa Public Library will continue to advocate for a remote option in the future. If you have any feedback about remote access that you would like us to share with ProQuest, please log in to post your comments under this blog post.

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Comments

Searching my family tree

Submitted by 22950009031683 on January 16, 2022 - 11:34am
I'm immunocompromised and having online access is important during this time of the pandemic. very disappointed this access was removed.

Ah I'm super disappointed

Submitted by juliemebaxter on January 25, 2022 - 3:09pm
Ah I'm super disappointed that we don't have remote access to this service anymore. I'm not able to make it into the Library for onsite access.

Ancestry Remote Access

Submitted by RedLeaf on January 26, 2022 - 1:36pm
The Omnicron COVID makes working at a local library location difficult to consider given the current OPL rules for using libraries. Consequently remote access is the most common sense approach to using this resource which, one assumes, is currently greatly under utilized by patrons. However, the situation is not of OPL’s authority to change. While encouraging the OPL and other libraries to pursue reinstating remote access while COVID continues, access to this excellent family resource remains unlikely anytime soon.

Ancestry access remotely

Submitted by gaelgrace on February 6, 2022 - 9:18am
You only get the limited library edition of Ancestry, so what is the big deal about having remote access. The new omnicon variant is 30% more contageous, plus seniors, disabled and current transit and parking disruptions make it impossible, and the cold, icy weather most days. Other libraries over north america allow remote access with a library card.

Remote access to Ancestry Library is no longer available

Submitted by Feng_Library on February 6, 2022 - 11:59pm
Dear Customers, We wish we could continue to offer remote access to Ancestry as you and many other Ottawa Public Library customers enjoyed the home access for almost 2 years. The vendor of Ancestry is not willing to make the license available from home anymore, despite pressure from libraries and the current omicron pandemic. It frustrates us, too. This would be the same for all public libraries across North America. We will continue to lobby them to change their policy. Meantime, I hope you accept our sincere apologies for this loss of a valuable service. Many thanks, Content Services

Clarification of onsite use with personal computer

Submitted by organia on February 22, 2022 - 2:12pm
The above notice says "Onsite access remains unchanged. Patrons can access Ancestry Library Edition through desktop computers provided by your library or their own personal laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. " I am currently onsite, accessing the OPL wifi network using my personal computer, but I still cannot access Ancestry Public Library. Is this an error in implementation of the new rules and I should have access, or do the new rules need to be updated to indicate that personal laptop, tablet, or mobile phone cannot be used, even when onsite? Or does my personal laptop need to be connected via ethernet rather than wifi? Thank you for continuing to provide this service onsite through library computers.