computers circa 1983

In the spring of 1983 library director Ron Kozlowski announced he would ask the board of trustees for $600,000 to buy a computer and other equipment to automate the library system. The computer system would help the library keep track of the more than 1 million books, records, films, videos and other materials. It would also streamline a circulation system that hadn't changed much since 1906.
He said, "We haven't had an inventory since about 1917. If we tried, we'd have to close down for more than a month."
The card catalogs stayed with us until staff had had a chance to catalog alot of the collection.
The 2nd phase of the project was to add computer terminals for the public. These consisted of terminals where the staff (at main, anyway) would load cd-roms from Infotrac each month. This was our first automated magazine index.

I will probably post more on this later!

parking at the Main Library

A note in the CJ in August 1980 reports that:

"A Courier-Journal parking lot on York Street has a rather plebian, but admirably direct, sign: "Unauthorized vehicles will be towed away." A nearby lot, reserved for employees of the Louisville Free Public Library, is marked with a noticed that is considerably more highfalutin, if no more tolerant: "Trespassers' Vehicles Shall Suffer Abrupt Removal."

online reader tools

Thing 20: I recommended Fall of Giants, a wonderful book by Ken Follett. I hope to finish it in the not too distant future. 8-)

Thing 21: I had already subscribed to the mystery bookletter but to date I've not received any...

Thing 22: Novelist. I checked out the mysteries for adults in the "police procedural" and "it's getting very noir in here". I do like the subsections. I am well read in the mystery genre, if I must say so myself, but there are still alot of authors in this database I've not heard of. I don't do readers' advisory very often but for myself I tend to look at the bloodstained bookshelf http://mirlacca.com/Bookshelf.html to find out what's coming out when.

Computers cira 1986

In March 1986 the library unveiled a brand new service; a computer bulletin board! It was called Freeboard and parons could check the current bestseller list, see what videos the library had or leave a question or complaint.
The bulletin board also offered a collection of more than 250 programs for Apple, Atari, Commodore, IBM and other computers. Patrons could also send mail to other users and "someday they may be able to send mail around the world as well as cross town."
It was one of 20 bulletin boards in operation in Louisville at the time (and only one of a few operated by a public agency).
The Freeboard was online from 5pm until 9am weekdays and 24 hours on the weekend and the phone number was 584-4162.

wikis

Hmmm, how do I put this? I do not care for wikis - mostly because anyone can edit one (and that is the point of it, right?). I do not use Wikipedia for reference work - unless it's to look at the sources they used.

Anyway, back to the matter at hand. I edited favorite authors and favorite actors and actresses and it was very easy!

Wikis for library use? Hmmm, I don't know...oops - forget that. I like what St. Joseph County Public Library has done. Maybe it would be better if our links were a wiki...how 'bout it, 23Luftballoons? 8-)

Marian the Librarian

rss stands for... Rae Shepherd-Shlechter!

Having been introduced to RSS feeds a couple of weeks ago by a Generous Librarian (thank you, Generous Librarian - you know who you are), I have already done this assignment. However, I do not think I will keep up with it. True, I have added some feeds on my iGoogle, but I find it a hindrance, more than a help. When I have a minute I look at Google Reader but there are just too many feeds too keep up with. I had subscribed to Resource Shelf, CNN, CJ, Unshelved and the Library but I have since unsubscribed to the Library. I can't keep up! I would rather just type in the website and glance at the headlines. So there. 8-)

On the other hand, I have subscribed to some useful groups on LinkedIn - webjunction and ALA. Webjunction is more interesting than ALA but they too overwhelming.

Computers - bah!

An article in the CJ in 1972 refers to a letter received by the library. It was addressed to
"Miss Louisville Free, Public Library, Fourth and York Streets."
The letter read, in part, "Dear Miss Free: You have been selected to take part in the 1972 International Graphic Arts Auction...Now, Miss Free, you can take your place in the auction without leaving your home on Public Library."

HAH!