FamilySearch Library/B1 Floor

The B1 Floor (Basement 1 Floor) of the Family History Library is known as the International Research Floor.

Info Desk
Stop at the Information Desk to get your research questions answered. The volunteers and missionaries here will get you started with your research and find someone to help you.

Research Specialists Desk
When you need help with research you can talk to a research specialist. Our specialists can help you with research methodology, record extraction, reading the old handwriting, and even reading records in another language.

B1 Computer Lab
This computer lab has 24 computers programmed as research computers. They have access to the subscription websites and everything else available on the research computers on the floor.

You can reserve this room for your own presentation or even for a group presentation from the Family History Library. To learn more about reserving the computer lab go to Group Visit Options on the FamilySearch Wiki. All reservations are based upon availability.

This room is also used for classes taught by our research specialists and missionaries. To view the class schedule or listen to past classes go to Family History Library Classes and Webinars on the FamilySearch Wiki.

Microfilm Readers
Throughout the years there have been many different styles of microfilm readers available. On the B1 Floor we have 79 different types of readers available for your use. Types of available readers:


 * 43 Right-Hand Readers
 * 4 Left-Hand Readers
 * 9 Mechanical Readers
 * 14 42x Magnification Right-Hand Readers
 * 6 65x Magnification Right-Hand Readers
 * 1 42x Magnification Left-Hand Reader
 * 1 65x Magnification Left-Hand Reader
 * 1 Microfiche Reader

Microfilms
This floor contains microfilms found from around the world. Some of the languages that you can find among these films are: German, French, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Russian, Chinese, Latin, and many more. You can make copies of documents you find on microfilms at the Copy Center. There are also expert research specialists available that can help you read documents in the mentioned languages and more.

Books
There are a large collection of books from around the world. Included in these books are histories, genealogies, family books, and extracts of records.

This floor also holds the different genealogies that used to be located on the Main Floor. In order to view these one of these books you will need to find the call number in the FamilySearch Catalog. Once you have the call number take it to the Copy Center window. They will be able to pull the film for you.

Copy Center
Here are the services found at the Copy Center on the B1 Floor:


 * 8 Proscanner Microfilm Readers (These allow you take a microfilm and either print what you have found or save it to a flash drive. We ask that you spend no longer than 30 minutes on these machines.)
 * 1 KIC Book Scanner
 * Vending machine where you can buy Print Cards ($2, $5, $10, or $20), 8GB Flashdrives ($6), and headphones ($1)
 * There are 12 free lockers for you to store your personal items. All lockers must be emptied at the end of the day.
 * Ask your questions about where to find microfilms or books in the collection.
 * They will retrieve any microfilm or book located in High Density.
 * There are 3 printers available throughout the floor for your use.

Research Computers
There are 94 research computers available on the B1 Floor. When the computers shut down all memory is wiped. Please make sure to save your work often. These computers are programmed with access to many subscription websites as well as different genealogy programs. Here is a list of some of the more popular websites and programs:
 * Ancestry.com
 * ArkivDigital
 * EmiWeb
 * FindMyPast
 * Fold3.com
 * JSTOR
 * RootsMagic
 * AncestralQuest
 * Legacy (Family History Program)
 * Personal Ancestral File (PAF)
 * and many more!

There are 2 computers reserved for the use of Asian languages. These computers have software that will allow guests to write in characters.

These computers also connect to 3 printers available on the floor, so you can print what you find on the computer. Remember that you will need a copy card from the vending machine found at the Copy Center.