[Publib] "Old-Time" card catalogs

[Nann Blaine Hilyard]

Alison,

I'd empty all the drawers except for one which would be demonstrate what catalog cards look like. (Ideally the drawer would have examples from the spectrum of catalog card formats--with subject headings in red, with subject headings in caps, handwritten, abbreviated description, H.W. Wilson products, and MARC.)

Nann
@the library in Zion, Illinois
Who has a 20-drawer unit (at home) in which she stores thread and other notions


-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Alison Moss
Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 10:52 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Cc: Marina Neal
Subject: [Publib] "Old-Time" card catalogs

I know a number of libraries retain the old wooden card catalogs with
drawers for historic value.  At the university where I got my library
degree, the card catalog there (which took up practically an entire
floor) had some accompanying signage that indicated:  "this card catalog
is preserved for historic interest only; it has not been updated since
1986."  If other libraries are following this practice and could share
examples of the sort of (postive) phrasing you use to convey this info,
that would be very helpful.  Also, if you include something indicating
that the catalog is now technology-based.


--


Alison R. Moss
Head Reference Librarian
Tippecanoe County Public Library
627 South Street
Lafayette, IN  47901
Telephone:  (765)429-0176
email:  amoss at tcpl.lib.in.us

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