Twenty Years Overdue!

On June 7th, Tokyo: The Great Cities was returned almost twenty years late. This was either an extremely fascinating book or someone was a very slow reader! The Date Due card in the book pocket shows the original due date: Dec 17, 1986.

What was YOUR Library like 20 years ago?

• The Library used an automated punch card system to check out books (see punch card in the photo above)
• The Library Catalog was available on microfilm only
• Eating, drinking, smoking, and loud talking were not permitted in the Library
• The Library held a collection of 16mm films
• There were no computers available for student use in the Library
• Searching on-line databases was only available by appointment with a Librarian

Some things never change. Samples from the Suggestion Book indicate that some current problems and concerns are long standing. Examples include:

• Why is it so noisy in the Library?
• It is too hot/ too cold in the Library!
• Could the Library please have longer hours?

What did the Alexandria Campus look like in 1986?

• Alcohol consumption was permitted at student activities on campus until 1987!
• Enrollment at the Alexandria Campus was up 5% over the previous year
• Parking was a serious problem on campus. Before the parking deck was constructed, students with parking permits out-numbered available spaces by 3 to 1!
• Campus Council minutes were mimeographed (remember that purple print?) for distribution
• Campus Council addressed campus beautification, the academic calendar, parking, inclement weather policies, and the cleaning service contract (the more things change, the more they stay the same! Each of these issues was discussed in some form by the 2005-2006 Campus Council!)

Alexandria Campus Library Today (June 2006):

• The Library uses an online system (ALEPH) to check out books
• The Library Catalog is available via the World Wide Web (http://vccslinc.vccs.edu/F/?func=find-b-0&local_base=nvcc)
• Eating and Drinking are now permitted in the Library (you still can't smoke, though!)
• There are 44 computers for student use in the Library
• The Library subscribes to over 200 online databases that may be searched from on or off campus (http://www.nvcc.edu/Library/databases.htm)
• A group study area and quiet study area have been created to help deal with the noise problem
• New FANS have been purchased to cool down the Library on hot days
• The Library regularly has EXPANDED hours (open early/ open late!) during the last week of classes and final exams