Library Books: Remembering the Old Way

Yesterday we went to the Anna Maria Island Library to check out a few books as we often do.  As our cards were scanned, I commented to the librarian how this was a lot easier than the old days when we had to write our names in those narrow lines on the library cards in the back of the books.  This single comment led me on a trip down memory lane......and through it all, I thought about what we've lost in this new technology.  I clearly remember watching my kids as little ones laboriously printing their names on those cards, big letters, often taking up more than one line.  Struggling with the pencils attached by chains to the desk.  Watching as the librarian checked their cards and inserted the date cards for returning the books.  Writing your name gave you a committment to the books,  you SIGNED for them.  Also, you could see all the other people who had checked out the book before you by looking at their names on the card...........that was cool!  The librarian at the library here mentioned how she had many comment on missing the old card catalogue for finding books..........flipping through all those individual cards to find a book, and finding other things of interest along the way.  She said people felt like they had held the book just by touching the card.  That's missing now too as we use the computer reference to locate a book or topic of interest.  Things move a lot faster now at the library with this technology, but we've lost a little something with all the changes.  There are probably libraries where you check out yourself, just like markets where you check out yourself.  So there is a loss of conversation and contact with another person in those cases.  Just my little trip down memory lane..........maybe you remember these things as well. Many advantages to the electronic age, but a few losses too.