the pinakes: CATALOG AT HOME!

CATALOG AT HOME!

Posted on 11 March 2010 at 5:34 pm in Musings.

What’s the ultimate library geek accessory (well, aside from a tattoo)? Your very own card catalog, of course! It carries all the retro-chic of vinyl record players, 35mm cameras, and typewriters, plus that something extra-special that reveals your affinity for books and the Dewey Decimal System.

Holy Names University in Oakland is selling two vintage cabinets. A quick survey via Google suggests they should sell somewhere in the amorphous hundreds-of-dollars range. If you’re not in Northern California, various other libraries are selling off their cabinets on eBay.

The narrow drawers are perfect for a variety of crafty purposes, like skeins of yarn or children’s art tools and toys. Or you could fully catalog your home library if digital tools like LibraryThing aren’t your thing. Alternatively, you could use it to house your cocktail recipes.

A wine country candy shop’s card catalog, courtesy Adina Leitner

What would you do with your own card catalog cabinet?

Share and Enjoy:

Tags:

card catalogs

8 Comments

Comment by Nicole on March 11, 2010 at 9:32 pm.
Man, I’m always surprised that libraries still have these card catalogs around to decommission.

And yes, I totally want one. Maybe I’ll get that instead of a pony.
Comment by jsr on March 11, 2010 at 11:10 pm.
another venerable tradition bites the dust…will they paper a wall with decommissioned cards a la SFPL?
Comment by Daniel Ransom on March 12, 2010 at 12:45 pm.
If we had the money and the space in our home I’d totally get one. And then think of something clever to do with it.
Comment by Alison on March 15, 2010 at 6:12 pm.
I have two, count ‘em, two card catalogs in my house, repurposed as end tables. I’ve started to use the drawers to hold ear buds, external hard drives, etc.

Oh, and card catalog cards are just the right size for grocery lists…
Comment by Daniel Ransom on March 15, 2010 at 10:42 pm.
Ah, the electronics detritus that gathers with every new purchase. Right now they clutter up my desk drawers. That sounds like a good use for the card catalog.
Comment by Penny on April 6, 2010 at 10:03 am.
We have one from the elementary school where I used to be assistant librarian. We love it.

At various times it has held: cassette tapes (another oldie!), candles, and Melodie’s football card collection. I have a coworker who stores bottles of wine in hers!
Comment by Daniel Ransom on April 6, 2010 at 7:23 pm.
Card catalog as wine cellar!? I love it!
Comment by Kellee on April 10, 2010 at 7:30 am.
That is awesome. Mine would definitely hold various hanks of harn. Hell, I might even attach my swift and winder to it. What a great idea!