The Library Catalog

Depending on your age, you may remember them--those rather sizable, block-like pieces of wooden furniture in the library known as the card catalog.  It was the keeper of the keys, the way to unlock and discover the mysteries of the library collection.  Comprised of small drawers filled with cream-colored index cards, the card catalog allowed you to let your fingers do the walking and find items on shelves.

I remember once upon a time in elementary school, in addition to classes like music, art, and gym, there was library class.  The school librarian would sometimes read books to you or play a filmstrip (this was in the days before the DVD or Blue-ray player).  Other times, the librarian would teach you how to use a library, explaining the Dewey decimal system and the iconic card catalog.

Eventually, the card catalog was replaced by the computer.  At first, computers with the library catalog were only used by staff behind the desk.  Slowly, more computers started appearing around the library for patron use and were often side by side with the card catalog.  The electronic catalog initially contained just the records of the newest acquisitions, while the card catalog had the older.  Over time, the electronic catalog included the records of every item in the library.

Practically all libraries today have catalogs that are not only electronic but available online.  Thanks to the Internet, we no longer have to physically travel to the library during business hours to use a card catalog and see whether an item is available.  We can now search any library's catalog at any hour of the day from wherever we may be.

So, whenever someone comments that libraries are outdated, just mention how libraries have evolved with the times and how they are the keepers of both print and electronic knowledge today.

Helping you stay connected now and in the future from the perch.

Bookmarks, Part II

In my last post I discussed using bookmarks to keep your place in a book as opposed to dog-earring pages, which causes damage.  Going one step further, I'm going to address the subject of bookmarks themselves--what is appropriate to use as a bookmark and what isn't.

Generally, bookmarks are rectangular slips of paper or card stock that you put between the pages of a book to keep your place.  Other acceptable bookmarks include thin metal bookmarks (the kind you buy in bookstores), ribbons, or even crocheted strips.  The reason why all these forms are appropriate is that they do not harm books in any which way or form.

Sometimes, we don't have a suitable bookmark available, so we use whatever is handy.  In a pinch, we may use any of the following items: a (clean) tissue/napkin/toilet paper, a receipt, an airline boarding pass, a postcard, a Post-It, an envelope, a business card...I think you get the idea.

Things you should NOT use as a bookmark under any circumstances include toe tags, grass, dandelions, clumps of cat hair, socks, toothpicks (even unused ones), guitar strings, bacon (raw or cooked), or any other kind of food.  Th bottom line--don't use anything as a bookmark that could damage a book.

If you've purchased and own the book, you could theoretically do whatever you want with it (although I'd like to think you'd treat it with care).  However, if it's a library book, please make an extra effort to keep it in the same condition in which you borrowed it so that others can enjoy it as well.

Speaking for the safety of books everywhere from the perch.