FOCUS on Genealogy and Family History Organizations
Join NGS in Fort Wayne on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, for a special pre-conference event with the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center.
What is FOCUS?
Organizations are the backbone of the genealogy and family history community and an essential source of information, knowledge, and connection. To support these organizations, FOCUS offers staff, leaders, volunteers, and members a time to learn, collaborate, and get renewed energy for success and growth. If you are part of a society, library, archive, museum, or institution, then FOCUS is for you!
What Can You Expect in 2026?
FOCUS will take place 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET at the ACPL Genealogy Center, one of the top family history research destinations in the country, providing an exciting and unique experience. This FOCUS event will highlight the value of libraries and genealogy librarians while giving attendees from all types of organizations practical insights and ideas and a network of people that will encourage and strengthen our community. Lunch will be included.
Schedule and Session Details for FOCUS 2026
We’re excited to welcome you to an engaging and motivating event that will give you tips and resources to take back to your organization.
9:00 – 9:50 a.m. Welcome and Opening Session
“Critical Thinking and Empathy: Preparing Librarians to Meet Genealogy Patrons’ Needs”
This presentation will focus on the educational needs of pre-service librarians in assisting genealogy patrons. We will explore the evolving role of librarians in supporting genealogical research and how to approach resources and researchers with empathy, critical insight, and an understanding of the human stories behind the data. Attendees’ contributions will help shape the instruction of future colleagues and empower librarians to better support both the research process and the broader needs of family history enthusiasts. Society leaders and other FOCUS attendees will also gain practical insight into how these skills translate to volunteer training, member engagement, and creating more welcoming, researcher-centered organizations.
Speaker: April Earle
10:00 – 10:45 a.m. Panel Discussion
“Beyond the Reference Desk: The Work of Genealogy Librarians”
Genealogy librarianship sits at the intersection of research, public service, education, and community engagement. This panel brings together experienced genealogy librarians to discuss what the work truly looks like—how roles have evolved, the skills and competencies the job now requires, and the challenges and opportunities shaping the field. Panelists will explore topics such as working with diverse patron needs, balancing depth of expertise with accessibility, collaborating with societies and volunteers, and preparing the next generation of genealogy professionals. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how genealogy librarians support family historians and how societies and organizations can effectively partner with them.
Panelists: Speakers will be listed here soon.
11:00 a.m. – Noon FORUM Roundtables
Join us for the launch of a new program – FORUM Roundtables! This offers an opportunity for people from genealogy and family history organizations to connect with others serving in similar roles and have constructive conversations on topics and issues that matter to them. Pick one table or visit several to share, ask questions, collaborate on solutions to challenges, and be inspired. Find your people and talk about things that are important to you and your organization.
FORUM Roundtables at this in-person event will likely include options for librarians and society leader roles along with topics such as membership, volunteers, leadership development, marketing and communications, and more. FOCUS registrants will have an opportunity to weigh in on what tables they’d most prefer to see available. (After the launch in Fort Wayne, NGS organization members will be invited to participate in ongoing virtual roundtables for a variety of roles and topics.)
Noon – 1:00 p.m. Lunch sponsored by Vivid-Pix and FORUM Roundtables
Food will be set up and available in the same space as our FORUM Roundtables, so you can enjoy lunch and continued conversations.
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Go beyond the public spaces and experience the ACPL Genealogy Center like never before. This exclusive tour provides an insider’s look at collections care, behind-the-scenes workflows, and the services that support one of the nation’s leading genealogy research centers. Explore specialized work areas and discover what makes the Genealogy Center exceptional through this rare opportunity available only to FOCUS participants. FOCUS attendees will be placed into small groups to rotate through the tour experiences.
After FOCUS on 27 May
Delegates from NGS organization members are invited to the Delegate Council meeting from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. For anyone registered for the 2026 Family History Conference, the Expo Hall Opening and Welcome Reception rounds out your day from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. We look forward to seeing you there!
2026 FOCUS Registration Information
Special pricing is made possible for the 2026 FOCUS event thanks to the generous sponsorship of Vivid-Pix and support from the ACPL Genealogy Center. 2026 FOCUS registration includes lunch and all sessions.
FOCUS is $55 per person. Register now!
If you are a librarian, ACPL is making an additional registration offer available. Before signing up for FOCUS, please submit the library request form.
Any individuals interested in building up the community of genealogy and family history organizations can sign up to attend FOCUS. Registration for the Family History Conference is not required for FOCUS participation. For those interested, NGS organization members have a discount offer for the conference.
Email Kate Smith at ksmith[at]ngsgenealogy[dot]org with questions about the 2026 FOCUS sessions. Email Lauren Henretty LHenretty[at]ngsgenealogy[dot]org with questions about event registration.