'Early in my career as a professional librarian, I am proudly sitting at the Waltham Public Library reference desk. What a great job. Surrounded by books, we got to answer an astonishing array of questions every day. In addition to reference work, I was responsible for service to teens. Computers were just edging onto the stage at that point. One of my projects was 'Dear Chris', a pre-world wide web combination of 'Dear Abby' and an anonymous reference service. Kids wrote questions on paper and left them in a box. 'Chris' would post responses on a bulletin board for all to see, referring questioners to appropriate sources of information, some of which were displayed nearby. How quaint! Note the dearth of computer screens, and the card catalog under the ornate ceiling lamp in the next room. The desk in the photo is gone now, replaced by bookcases full of fiction. (The current reference desk is in the yet-to-be-built addition.) The card catalog is gone, but the big blue doors and the lamp are still there! And thank goodness we now have the luxuries of an elevator and air conditioning. Pictured: Kate Tranquada.'
Copyright restrictions may apply. Visit blogs.umb.edu/archives/about/rights-and-reproductions for more information.
Contact host institution for more information.
