Walked into a library in Pittsburgh last week and saw a card catalog still in use

I was at the Carnegie Library downtown to pick up a book on hold, and there it was in the corner. A full wooden card catalog cabinet, still with cards in it. A librarian told me they keep it for people who prefer looking things up that way. Said about 15 regulars use it every month. Now I am wondering if that is preserving history or just refusing to move on. Do you think libraries should keep these around for nostalgia, or is it time to toss them and free up the space? Has anyone else seen something like this still in active use?

2 comments

2 Comments

wyatta302d ago

honestly it's the same thing i've noticed with vinyl records and film cameras right now. people are tired of everything being so digital and fast. like yeah you can search the whole library database in 2 seconds on your phone but there's something about flipping through those cards and finding stuff you weren't even looking for. my local grocery store still has a guy who hand writes the daily specials on a chalkboard even though they have digital screens everywhere. it's not just nostalgia it's that the old way forces you to slow down and actually pay attention. if 15 people a month still use it then the space is worth keeping for them honestly. we're so quick to toss things out just because something newer exists.

stella_lee1d ago

Whoa, okay you actually changed my mind on this one, I'll admit it.