Incoherent Scribblings

Expiration Date

In the 1980s some of the most significant moments of librarianship since the introduction of the Dewey Decimal System occurred: Not only did libraries around America start replacing their traditional card catalogs with computerized systems called OPACs, they also took the opportunity to input their patron data into computers and issue bar-coded library cards.

During this time my hometown library began building an extension to its existing building and though they didn’t introduce an OPAC right away, by the time the renovations were complete in the mid-80s the library had computerized its patron data.

However, even though the library had its patron data computerized, physical library cards were never issued: When you went to check out a book the librarian didn’t even ask for your name. She just typed it into the system because, as in often the case in a rural community of about 2,000 people, she already knew who you were.

I think that I last visited my hometown library about five years ago and I don’t think I have checked out any books since about 1992, but one afternoon when Mom and I went the library I came upon a couple of books that I wanted to check out. Mom would have to return them for me anyway so she was prepared to check them out, but I was curious about whether or not I still happened to have a library “card.”

As we say at home, the library assistant is an “import:” She moved to Small Town Iowa after I left home and though she knew my mom, she didn’t know me. Apparently she didn’t know that my mom was remarried and attempted to find my name under my mom’s “new” married name. I corrected her with my last name and sure enough, I still had a library card!

She remarked that it sure had been a while since I checked out a book and asked if my telephone number and address were still correct. I replied that I hadn’t lived at that address for quite some time, but essentially since it was my dad’s address it was correct.

At that point the library assistant asked me if I was away at college. I had to chuckle as I told her that not only had it been a while since I was away at college, I didn’t even live in the United States anymore! Mom would be checking the books out and I was just curious if I was still in the system.

I heard the library assistant remark that they really ought to clean up their patron data files a little more often as we left and it made me wonder if the next time I go back to my hometown library my library card will have finally expired.