The Library Card Catalog

[just_me]

My county has a large and very good library system, but my city has only one small (and lovely) library. I stopped in there yesterday to get a library card. They still have the old card catalog, but they don't use it. The librarian told me that they couldn't bring themselves to get rid of it. I thought it was really neat seeing it there.

 

[Randal]

My library got rid of the card catalog years ago. I don't know how to use the computer catalog so I just as the librarians when I need help. I miss the card catalog....

 

[just_me]

My library got rid of the card catalog years ago. I don't know how to use the computer catalog so I just as the librarians when I need help. I miss the card catalog....

I use my county library system a lot, so the computerized catalog works really well for me. I log onto the system from home and search for books and have them sent to my branch or put on hold.

The catalog at the city library brought back a lot of memories, though.

 

[skyvue]

I request all my books online and am informed via email when they've arrived at my preferred branch.

I love that system, but there is something appealing about a card catalogue.

 

[Geesie]

A few years ago the computer system went down at my local library. So, I went over to the card catalog and... they had recently gotten rid of it.
Useful. As far as I know, paper doesn't "crash."

 

[dhermann1]

I don't think most people have any idea how much the computer and information processing industry owe to the lowly library card system. Libraries have been classifying and organizing data and information for thousands of years. I think it's great, and only fitting, that this beautiful piece of wooden furniture has been preserved.

 

[jayem]

I remember in school on Library Days, we would go down to the local library and the librarians would teach us how to use the card catalog system and such. I miss how when you used to walk into the library you's hear the opening and closing of the little wooden cubbies instead of the clicking of the mouse.

 

[ScionPI2005]

I use my county library system a lot, so the computerized catalog works really well for me. I log onto the system from home and search for books and have them sent to my branch or put on hold.

The catalog at the city library brought back a lot of memories, though.

That just shows that there are some advantages to modern technology, even though it may not look as classic as the card catalog system.

I do still have my original library card; the one that I was issued when I was probably in kindergarten. It still has the hole punch through it where the yarn went so that when my class went to the library, we hard our cards around our necks and wouldn't lose them.

 

[maggiethespy]

I'm a library assistant (read: public librarian who hasn't finished her MS yet) for a really small, young public library. We turned 5 this year. Up until last year, we used the card catalog, last week we FINALLY got our online card catalog running so patrons can look up and reserve books from home (they've been hounding us for a while).

Honestly, I miss the catalog, and I love that the library is so young and small, because it means we get to stick to the old ways longer. We still use Dewey, which I am so grateful for, because I have just about the entire Dewey Decimal System memorized, and Library of Congress system just throws me for a loop Card catalogs are great, too, because even when there is a power outage, we can help patrons. I was a little put off when it disappeared.

I wish we had kept the catalog for show-- I dress vintage for work, and one of my co-workers likes to talk about my swing dancing habit, so to the patrons I'm sort of a novelty-- the vintage, swing dancing librarian. My swing dancing friends think it is quite entertaining, too. I think the catalog would sort of complete my whole little persona.

 

[John Boyer]

Our local library still uses a manual card catalog and it looks very much like this one. Of course, we have a computer system also. I still prefer the "old" card catalog. It is still very easy to use. John

 

[Rachael]

I fondly remember library day when I was in school. Once a week we would go to the school library, where the librarian would instruct us in the fine art of reading a card catalog as well as the dewey decimal system and using reference material. I honestly believe that the reason I have done so well in customer service and other industries is because I am able to find answers to questions. And I owe it all to Mr Dewey's wonderful system!

Most definately the cornerstone of the information age, it is heartwarming to see a card catalog still on display even if not in use.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

I was still in college when the first computer catalogs started popping up in local libraries, and worked in the school system for a number of years after. I found my greatest research successes were those that utilized both the computers with the old card system.

Not all computerized systems are clear about which materials are local, in storage, or at another library. I miss the physical cards. No crashes, no glitches, no "some systems are good, some bad." And no worries about the system not being updated. When I worked in a library, no new book hit the shelf until the card was ready for the drawer!

 

[Rachael]

I miss the physical cards. No crashes, no glitches, no "some systems are good, some bad."

I remember the days when we were transferring from cards to computers; my first job was as a page in a local library. There were a few days when the system crashed and we had the pleasure of writing down 14 digit barcode numbers all day then entering them into the system when it came back online. There was talk at that time of chucking the computers out the window and sticking with the system that never failed.

but irregardless of the systems being used, I adore libraries in general. after five attempts, we passed a bond levy and have a shiny new facility with a fireplace reading room, study kiosks with lamps and wifi, and several small child themed rooms. The best part? Every time we go there, the place is packed and I run into at least one person I know.

 

[The Wolf]

I appreciate the improvement of computers to look up books in libraries but I do miss the card catalogs. While looking for one one book I would usually find something else listed on another card that looked interesting. Sometimes I would see so many other cards of interest while flipping to a search that I would forgot what my original search was. :eusa_doh:
When a local university first went to computers for book searches things weren't listed in a uniform way. Burton, Richard has three books listed, Burton, Richard Francis has five books listed, Burton, Sir Richard Francis...etc.lol

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[RedPop4]

Put the wrong card in the wrong place, and a card catalog can indeed fail.
Have one of your students drop a drawer, and the rod come loose.....no, not fun. As someone who operated a school library single-handedly, finding time to add cards was difficult. So was the amount of cards that would need to be filed.

There are advantages and disadvantages to all systems.

 

[imported_the_librarian]

As a professional librarian, I say "Good Riddance!"

If you have ever had to file a stack of these, trust me, it's not very fun.

As a vintage person, I miss them.....sorta....but not much.