[MassHistPres] This question is directed to city/town historical societies

[James Kossuth]

I am somewhat astounded that someone would oppose putting some information
for free online in the belief that it would replace in-person physical
services.

An anecdote from personal experience in the late 1990s -- Merriam-Webster,
publisher of America's best-selling dictionary and my employer at the time,
was debating whether or not to make its Collegiate dictionary available for
free online, fearing that it would undercut sales of the print version.
They ultimately decided to make the dictionary available for free, and
found that sales of the print dictionary increased.  People actually did
want to buy the cow, even though they could get the milk for free.

I continue to find that to be true for myself, using free online resources
in a variety of contexts to get a taste of what is available onsite, and
then planning an in-person visit accordingly.

Best,
James Kossuth
Medford
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