Prickly Pear, Yearbook of Abilene Christian University, 1996 Page: 96
320 p. : ill. ; 32 cm.View a full description of this yearbook.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
19 9 6 Pr i c kly
jet7f/4//
New technology steps in
The Brown Library, although nondescript in
appearance, was a treasure trove of books, articles
and other information sources given by distinguished
alumni and acquired by dedicated librarians
and staff members throughout the years.
During Christmas break these vigilant caretakers
went into action to spruce up the interior of the
library, making it not only a home for information,
but a welcoming one as well.
To improve the service of the library, the small battalion
of librarians decided to retire the faithful, but
outdated, card catalog. With characteristic resourcefulness
they moved it downstairs to the first floor and
put it to use housing cassette tapes in the audiovisual
section of the library.
The card catalog stored 3-by-5 note cards printed
with the specifications of a book or other media
sources. Similar to a filing cabinet, its smooth wood
frame and long, narrow drawers kept data organized
alphabetically and according to author and subject.
However, being a dinosaur of a database compared
to the computer system, ALCON, the catalog occasionally
proved perilous to the unknowing seeker of
up-to-date information.
The library had stopped filing in the card catalog
after the automated computer on-line service was
installed in the summer of 1991, and the data on
many new books and articles were never recorded in
the old system. Marsha Harper, library director since
1987, believed that removing the card catalog was in
the best interest of the library and its patrons. She
explained that the card catalog needed to be out of
the public eye because those who used it could not
find the most recent information available.
Many people were accustomed to the electronic
trend sweeping the country, but some still grew anxious
about using computerized networks like the
ALCON system.
"Generally, we make a convert, but sometimes it
takes work," Harper said.
The replacement of the card catalog by the computer
system was just another small part of the technological
wave that is sweeping the world. Like compact
discs taking the place of vinyl records, this
progress is felt by all at the Brown Library.
"It was an accumulation of years and years of
work. ... It was so very solid and these computers
seem so fragile," mused Callie Faye Milliken, former
library director from 1953-1986.
As the wheels of progress rolled relentlessly forward,
the library sought to keep up with ever-changA Student workers spent their Christmas vacations moving bookshelves in the library to
accommodate remodeling efforts (Photos courtesy of Erma Jean Loveland).ing technology. A new computer lab with 26 computer
stations was scheduled for installation on the third
floor of the main wing of the library. The computers
would be used to teach classes about how to use the
library databases, train ACU staff on computer software
and - when classes were not scheduled - used
as an open lab for students to e-mail, browse through
the Internet and do word processing.
Keeping the Brown Library and its patrons caught
up with the hi-tech world of the Information Age was
a challenge Harper and her small cadre of librarians
were eager to pursue. For them, adding another database
to the system or finding a new way to access
sources on the Internet was always a thrill. But they
were frequently concerned that, in terms of technology,
they outstripped their ability to teach people
what's available to them in the vast world of information."There is more out there than the things we know
about," said Harper. "We're challenged to keep up,
and then we're challenged to pass it on to the students.":f ,Joan Lim
q4 AcaJcre: Library
Changes
Pear
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This yearbook can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Yearbook.
Abilene Christian University. Prickly Pear, Yearbook of Abilene Christian University, 1996, yearbook, 1996; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth39892/m1/99/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.