Thread: You can start to feel older when ...

The ones at my local used to be a sort of institutional green, except for reference, which were pink. That was in the late 50s, or perhaps pre Beatles 60s.

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Hello All,

For work I wanted to buy some new cards that used to be known as Library Catalogue or Index Cards. Walk into an office supplier or a newsagent and describe the cards and how they were used. Well they were used in libraries before computers. As you walked into the library just near the entrance were these series of timber boxes that you opened up. Inside each drawer were these series of paper cards that told you the title of the book, their library call number and an indication on what section and shelf the book could be found. How you would have to write these details down on a piece of paper with a pencil or pen. This is because the card had a hole in the bottom and a metal rod went through each card to prevent the card from being removed or put back into the wrong order. Include in your description another piece of stationery that was approximately the same size as the cards you were after. A visual aid is always a big help when describing something to a sales assistant.

Then the teenager stares back at you blankly. They go back to the place where you picked up the visual aid from. Within a small amount of time you realise that the shop assistant's parents probably only used computer terminals at the library.

I have included a photograph of a similar type of library catalogue storage system that I mentioned above this sentence. Just in case you never got to have the privilege of using a paper card based indexing system.

Oh here is a tip for you if the need arises to buy similar cards to the Library Catalogue or Index Cards.... they are now known as "System Cards".

Photograph accessed 26th September 2023 from, Vintage 4 Drawer Wood Library Card Catalog File Box Brass Handles | eBay
Oh - in case you are wondering the Library Catalogue or Index Cards used to fit inside the drawers.

Kind regards
Lionel

Nothing wrong with OLD School sir sorry Dr Lionel!

I have gifted several filing cabinets to a local school who uses them with joy with the kids! Dewi Decimal is not old it is immortal.

Dito for Morse code. My dit dit dash was on an "Underwater Telephone" only really. A happily redundant technology mostly

You can see one on a Museum in Sydney on a ship I joined well before I was 18. That makes me feel a tad old

Originally Posted by Tins

The ones at my local used to be a sort of institutional green, except for reference, which were pink. That was in the late 50s, or perhaps pre Beatles 60s.

Hello Tins,

Yes, you are right about different coloured cards in the catalogues. From memory different colours were used to indicate different sections within the library such as: fiction from non-fiction, reference books ...

The 'system cards' I found today followed Henry Ford's philosophy; however, instead of having the option to buy any colour - as long as it was black - I found that they came in any colour as long as they were white cards. Although, these white cards were available in three different sizes.

Yes, I could have ordered the cards online via someone like eBay. Some suppliers online still refer to them as library catalogue cards or index cards. However, I do attempt to support local businesses when I can. My having the correct current terminology for the cards might have found me buying them from the first office supplier I visited. It took me visits to three stores to find the items on the shelf.

Okay ... I just checked the website of the office supplier chain-stores I visited as my first port of call today - the cards are referred to as "index cards" in their stores and they do come in different colours.

Just goes to show - one must keep up-to-date with the correct terminology, otherwise one experiences difficulties in obtaining the desired item. Not that I have needed to buy the library catalogue/system/index cards beforehand! Perhaps one is just better off taking a stroll through the shop and avoid interacting with customer service type people. As suggested .. The good Lord helps those who help themselves. It might save you on petrol too, and time, and frustration and ....!

Kind regards
Lionel

I attempted to obtaining some bulldog clips from stationary at one place I was doing some work. They had no idea what I was talking about and I had to go and buy one from a shop as a sample so they could source some for me

Some time ago I went to the big, green shed to purchase a tool for a particular job, the details no longer remembered.
The young assistant sneered, saying that what I asked for was out of date and had been superseded by some powered device. He was right, but I took umbrage at his condescending, "I know everything about tools" attitude. The look on his face was priceless when I asked where the spokeshaves were.

Dinosaurs of the digital age

I went to a Tool Shop, that one that advertises "Tools For Every Job"
asked for a brake adjusting spanner.. ( think caravans)
blank looks everywhere....






sigh...

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

I went to a Tool Shop, that one that advertises "Tools For Every Job"
asked for a brake adjusting spanner.. ( think caravans)
blank looks everywhere....






sigh...

Are you referring to a “brake adjusting tool” for drum brakes?