A Step Backwards

We had a difficult week at Merced College Library. Our library circulation system was down for a whole week during a time when students were busy researching and writing papers. Our computer checkout system is automated so this made the checkout of computers difficult. We were unable to gather the many statistics that the computer system usually generates for us, and, most distressing of all, we could not use the catalog to locate or checkout books. Yes, even in our technological era, students still need to use actual physical books. In fact many instructors require a certain number of books as information sources for papers and projects. Librarians had to rely on their memory of the Dewey decimal system to help students locate information on the shelves. We could use OCLC Worldcat to give us a clue as to where other libraries had similar books, but not specific information about our collection. During this week, we also had issues with our electronic security gate and the wireless Internet connection was down for awhile. Without our online catalog, no new books could be ordered, cataloged or processed. No books were checked in and none of the books were shelved. Technologically speaking, the week was a bit of a disaster. We learned how dependent we are upon technology, and how vulnerable the network can be. Of course we also learned how resourceful and creative we still are at providing information and service to our students in an adverse situation.
Today our server is back online, and we are dealing with the issues and glitches that have arisen. Our computers are humming and clicking, and our students can find the perfect information

source online or in a treasured book.

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Photo credit: Margaret Shear http://www.flickr.com/photos/shearforce/231470229/