Back in Time - Check It Out
Libraries have changed drastically in a few decades:
• card catalogs have disappeared
• digital self-check out
• digital library cards
Personally, I miss using the old card catalog. I enjoyed flipping through the cards. When I was in high school, I helped the librarian type cards for new books or books that had been donated.
The old checkout cards were fun. I'd often pull them out and see the names of those who had previously read the book(s). Now, I suppose it would be considered an invasion of personal privacy.
Haven't checked a book out in years. Have downloaded audio book digitally.
ReplyDeleteI too miss the card catalog. Computers are nearly as fun.
ReplyDeleteI loved those card catalogs too! So full of information. And the cards in the back of books - loved those too. Now, with only curbside pick-up, it is all done electronically. Guess it is safer that way. When I pick up books I've ordered, they are in a plastic bag that is placed on a table outside the library.
ReplyDeleteI remember those - and the card catalogues - especially the smell. I also remember the old ditto presses and how they smelled. I used to jump at the chance to help the teacher run off a pile of dittos.
ReplyDeleteI remember those cards, and my friends and I would check out the same book...it was fun to see their names. The library is the last "free" thing...I hope books don't go by the wayside!
ReplyDeleteMy first 2 years teaching I was also the HS library "aide" which I totally enjoyed. As a kid the library at school was one of my favorite places. And I did love looking at those old check out cards to see who else had checked out the book.
ReplyDeleteI confess. I am a library lover. A good book is always nearby in my home. I haven't upgraded to a Kindle because I enjoy being a page flipper.
ReplyDeleteI wonder...How many homes still have bookshelves...with a set (or two) of encyclopedias? World Book was my favorite.
I love the library and I do miss the old ways. When we started packing up our house I started out counting books but gave up when I reached 750. We had lots more. I donated a lot of them, we kept favorites here in the trailer and set up two bookshelves in our storage unit about a block away so we can get them anytime. We even took them out of boxes and put them on the shelves! I took boxes and boxes of them to Mandy to keep for us too. Our kids are all the same way.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
I love going to the library to get a new selection of books. Of course, it is all self check out these days, passing the card and books under some sort of reader thingy. I'm not ready for ebooks and dont think I'll ever change. There is nothing nicer than eagerly turning the pages on an exciting book!
ReplyDeleteI used to love working in the library at school. I used to play library when I was a kid and stamp up index cards. I still have the little desk that has my stamps all over from when I missed the card. The Mister was in the library all the time before Covid. I had to buy him a Kindle but he hates it.
ReplyDeleteI volunteered for two years as a Library Assistant instead of a Study Hall...I had two study halls anyway because I did not do Band or Choir in SR High. Our Librarian was a cranky old gal, but she appreciated the help...I guess no one else would volunteer for her. I loved putting books back on the shelves. I also had to put new cards in the card catalog when we got new books...I did not type them up but they were in the book for me to complete and then shelve the book. In the spring there would be a pile of books on a table that were being discarded and I would have to pull all the cards out of the card catalogue. I also learned how to repair bindings on books and I loved going to the stacks and finding articles for students.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting that some of my fav bloggers enjoyed library work also...possibly we are all detail orientated!
Nancy, our Library in lake Geneva is penalty free. You just need to please let them know you need it checked out again, so they dont lose funding. I know a lot of towns are adopting this.
ReplyDeleteThose were the days, weren't they? Now I often get library books on my Kindle! Around here the most libraries are closed because of Covid, but I am pretty sure the one downtown is open for pickup.
DeleteI love everything about the old library system-the first thing that came to mind was the musty slightly dusty smell--I loved it!
ReplyDeleteI was a library aide and so as a sixth grader I typed the new cards and filed the old. It used to make me happy to find multiple cards for the same book in the librarians file. I was the only person in my elementary school to read every book in the library.
ReplyDeleteUm as a elementary school librarian I’m thrilled we have library data based not the cards. Each book would have a minimum of 3 cards — title, author and subject. Many times there would be multiple subject cards. It was a nightmare keeping the card file up to date. With the computer version it was often up dated before the books even came in. I worked at two libraries as the digital card catalogue came in. My last job I was the only staff at the library which meant I checked out books, taught classes, reshelved books, read reviews to develop a list of books to come in. I did have a support team in central office that would enter new books into the computer when we didn’t buy from one of the companies that provided the digital info. I, too, liked to look at the check out cards to see who had read a book. As a patron I don’t like having each book marked with the due date. Now I generally read digital books. But I keep a list of books with due dates on my cell phone. You hit a favorite topic for me!
ReplyDelete