Ep. 87 RESTORATION of Valuable Carnegie Library Card Catalog

[@MadCityModern]

This was one of my favorite restoration projects, and I enjoyed sharing some of my own memories. I would love for you to share some of your own LIBRARY memories. Thank you for all your support and thank you EKSTER for making this video possible. Barry

[@wendyhenschel.]

I spent so much time in the library starting at the age of 2. Always checking out my favorite books to read thru the years. I really enjoy reading and this piece brought back many of those memories.

[@christyparr1563]

Our library (different ones throughout the years) never had a card catalog holder as nice as THAT! The podunk little towns I’ve lived in had metal ones. And Lord help you if you ever had the unfortunate chance of catching your hand or arm on the drawer.. nice cut you’d end up with. But I spent many an hour at the library just browsing.

[@Greenacres1958]

Great job! I used the larger pieces in school libraries back in the days but I didn’t know these existed. What a blessing to have found this. I’d use one for crochet patterns! Thank you for sharing with us.

[@queenbee3647]

I had a crazy family life, home was not a happy place. The library was. I would stay there for hours. The card catalog was amazing. I remember one trip I came equipped with authors to check out. I was flipping through the cards, writing down the books title and location. After a bit of time one librarian approached and asked if I needed help. I thanked her but said "no found all I need". She was surprised that I knew what I was doing! I made sure to get my little girl in love with the library from a VERY early age. It must have worked. Shes the emerging technologies reference librarian in the town next to us. 💖

[@GaiaCarney]

Libraries are my happy place ☺️ I appreciate when they’re quiet, and have comfy chairs to dig into a newly discovered treasure! I remember learning the Dewey Decimal system with cabinets like yours! The way the curved brass drawer pulls made your hands smell, the tiny pencils to write your search results with ✏️ Lovely restoration, the white oak with tiger stripes is beautiful!

[@vickiwood9192]

As a senior citizen who grew up without computerized information and as an avid reader, I definitely have fond memories of using a card catalog. Thank you for restoring this beautiful piece.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you for sharing this

[@tammywillgohs5514]

I love that you have labeled things you have gotten as gifts.

[@emilyvelez4938]

I was just sitting here thinking I needed a new mad city modern video!

[@carolfuchs2774]

ME TOO!!!

[@MadCityModern]

made me smile

[@janiceshea9498]

Oh my. Seventy years ago, as a six-year old in small town Ontario Canada, I could not wait to get a library card for our local library. In those days, besides being 6, your application had to be signed by a homeowner, i.e. taxpayer. My parents were tenants, as were many in the 1950s; fortunately, my aunt signed for me. Many wonderful hours spent there. After university I became - guess what? - a university librarian. No card catalogues after a few years, but lots of connectivity and technology. My small town building is of the typical Carnegie architecture, and still operating today. Thanks for this reminder

[@MadCityModern]

such great feedback!

[@ninoskae]

Welcome back! You’re artistry has been missed. Beautiful restoration of the piece and your narrative and editing is as always exceptional! Happy Holidays!!

[@MadCityModern]

thank you so much! Happy Holidays

[@Beruthiel45]

I've been a library patron for 73 years, from age 5, and started my library career in 1962, at 17. I've used many a card catalogue like this one, and I loved seeing it restored to its original condition. 👍 I worked in several small branch libraries and in the main library of my home town in northern England. Here in Canada I ran a combined elementary junior high school library for 5 years, had a brief one year part time job in a college library, and my last position was in the reference department of the main downtown library of the city where we've lived in Alberta for the last 36 years. Libraries have been my life and I now use the online service of Libby and borrow e-books. As you might imagine we have books in every room of our home, and although I have no card catalogue I know where every book is located. It's all in the details, but the Dewey decimal system isn't necessary. Nor is the Library of Congress system. Book lovers know their books. 📚🤗 Good to see you again. 🙋

[@cydmack4074]

Former librarian here, love your respect for the past. I’ve spent many hours with card catalogs 😂but I have to say I sure do love having computers ! Well done it’s a beautiful piece.

[@lauris5708]

What a pretty piece! The hardware polished up so nice, it looks like jewelry. I grew up in the 70's and definitely remember using the card catalog system in our local library. Thanks for the memories!

[@MadCityModern]

thank you so much

[@VioletJoy]

One thing I absolutely love doing is repurposing antique furniture. It's so cool that you now have this piece of history to keep your things in. It's so much more fun to open the drawers of an old card catalog instead of some generic piece. What a beautiful addition to your place. Seeing this brought me right back to the John Steinbeck Library, where I spent many hours. I'd walk to the library after school to do homework and look through the giant card catalogs. Now we've got the internet at our fingertips.

[@rebahensley5323]

The Library was my favorite plave as a child. The world opened before my eyes. I remember this type of furniture.

[@MadCityModern]

love this

[@robs824]

Ever week in the summer as children, my mom would take myself and my brother to library and let us spend hours roaming through the books and let our imaginations go. Grateful that she gave us that experience

[@MadCityModern]

thank you for this

[@robs824]

@@MadCityModern thank you for sharing with us during each of your projects. Watching your brings make the nostalgia from my youth and I am very appreciative of that. Happy Holidays to you and yours during this season.

[@sallypettit7156]

I lived in Verona and Mount Horeb, WI from 1990-2003. Best years of my life. I watch these and get warm happy feelings.

[@MadCityModern]

wonderful place!

[@teresamcfadden2414]

That’s a great piece. Between the local library and my school library I used the Dewey decimal system often

[@MadCityModern]

great feedback!

[@Dakiniwoman]

This is one of my very favorites of your projects. It is the kind of piece I would love to have in my own workshop. I am an artist working in very fine porcelains and other fine materials that I use many cabinets and drawers to store supplies in my studio, so a piece like your card Catalogue would really compliment my workshop. As you always do, this one is a gorgeous result.

[@MadCityModern]

I love this feedback

[@canadianukiegurl]

I remember the smell of our library. Like scotch tape, and old paper. I also remember going to our library as a child to sing, read books, and do crafts with other kids. Good times.

[@TheHarper11]

Thank you for saving this piece but more importantly, thank you for loving it.

[@artur.creates]

I love to see someone caring to give a second life to old furniture that most people would throw away, well done ! Great attention to details.

[@manuelatreide]

I have always been a bookworm. As soon as I learned to read, books have always been in my life. Still today, my bedroom could be described as a library containing a bed. Books are so magical! I remember, as a teenager, this kind of index catalogs: the thrill to explore them, eager to find an interesting - and not yet read - book. For me, these furnitures were like treasure chests. There could be only dust or a unique book waiting for the reader to tell its amazing story. As a computer nerd, I am fully aware that these furnitures are no longer needed. Yet, they have been so carefully crafted, so daily useful and even loved that it’s only fair that they « do not go gentle into that good night ». I’m happy to see that one will go on existing with you. What better place could be found? Best from Brittany, France. M

[@MadCityModern]

thank you for sharing this from France!

[@cintiafreitas7699]

I have read many comments here and i loved them all! I am sure you will love ❤them too! People have very fond memories of readings books, loving books and libraries. 💖💖💖

[@kellyblodgett3214]

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this video. As someone who used this system for many many years I truly appreciate what a wonderful job you did on this piece. Thank you for this video and the commentary. You brought back many memories for me. I’m glad you’re keeping this piece, I can tell it was a labor of love for you. That brass, wow! I can’t wait until you tackle that big gray beast. Thank you so much for this video, it’s my fave.

[@karencooper9185]

Have come to reply on you for not only a wonderful restoration, but a heartwarming, uplifting and smile inducing story too. Thank you Barry and prayers for a prosperous 2024.

[@carolfuchs2774]

Lucky you to be able to restore this piece and have a piece of history to share with us. As a 73-year-old I can appreciate the method of research I used in college. But it would have been so much easier today. Good restoration, Barry!!! It's beautiful!!!!

[@lfuentes4098]

This 50 year old also remembers using this system from grade school through college and even with my young children. It turned out beautifully.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you so much for this

[@Greenacres1958]

I was blessed to use these in high school and computers in college. I didn’t start college right out of school. I wish I had! I’m 65. Started college at 50!

[@katherineharper-sj4ys]

I’m glad you restored this and are going to use it. I remember using the card catalog when doing research for papers and reports when in college. What a memory. Thanks for sharing.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you so much

[@deeranfoxworthy6069]

I am proud and sad to say I am almost positive that my generation was one of the last to be required to learn the Dewey decimal system as part of our elementary schooling as well as how to use the card catalogue. It really did bring good memories, thank you! The reassuring and calming smell of the library is one of my favourite smells!

[@mousiebrown1747]

God bless the good old Dewey Decimal System ❤ ! It was the key to all the world’s knowledge and information and entertainment. 🤩😍

[@MadCityModern]

Well said!

[@MissLady-pq4hc]

This video brought back memories of when life was so much simpler. Thank you for sharing.❤️

[@MadCityModern]

yes

[@JC-gf5vv]

Thanks for a trip down the memory lane of my university years! The card catalogue in the main library was a cavernous stained-window room, seemingly endless with thousands of cabinets and millions of cards. Good luck finding the one book you need for your term paper! To this day, the mixed odor of old wood and moldy paper evokes thoughts of my youthful days. Bless the advent of computer catalogues!

[@MadCityModern]

this comment was great!

[@audiomxr]

Gorgeous piece and a great reminder of a philanthropist whose donations affected generations. I used the DDS and am thankful for the public library system, which I use weekly. What a great piece you'll have to enjoy. The price for solid white oak is incredible. Great work.

[@JoAnnaQuincey]

You're right. We were the last generation to use the card catalogs. My daughter asked me why we needed cards to find books while we were watching your video.

[@MadCityModern]

i explained in detail hoping younger people would be asking. this made my day

[@mousiebrown1747]

What a terrific old chest! ❤ Brings back memories of when I was about 13 - I can recall the scent of “library” !!! 🥰📚📖 I have always been a bookworm. I’m easily frightened/intimidated by people, and most of my life, books have been my refuge. I worked at the Jr High School library in the mornings since the school bus dropped me off early mornings. I helped the senior aged lady librarian, and it helped me because I felt safe there. This was in the early 1960’s, in a southern state of the USA.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you for sharing these memories!

[@averilfrances6006]

Thanks Barry, I grew up with a Carnegie Library in Dunedin, New Zealand. When I moved to Suva, Fiji, I found one there too. Such an amazing gift to the world. I used to hand write or type out catalogue cards at a school I did work experience at. Precise work! Love this refinishing job. Well done.

[@MadCityModern]

this is awesome. i almost mentioned the one in Fiji!

[@averilfrances6006]

@@MadCityModern kinda wish you had 🙂

[@jeffvenables4845]

Hi Barry. Your piece turned out beautifully! When I was in high school (in the 1970’s), I was a “page” at the local public library. I worked after school and on weekends. I learned so much while there. My job included checking books in as they were returned, putting books away, and eventually helping the patrons use the card catalog and to find the books they desired. I will never forget the sound the check-out machine made as the card from each book was pushed through, as the library card info and return date was imprinted on the card. Those days are gone, but the experience helped that young lady learn so many life skills. Good memories.

[@timothyarchie320]

I remember using card catalogs all through my school years. What a beautiful restoration.

[@evelyntanswell3311]

I loved my college library. Unlimited access to books! I can still remember the joy I felt. Every time I entered, it was all I could do, not to yell my delight out loud ❤.

[@MadCityModern]

love this!

[@lyrieth8833]

It looks amazing!! I remember when going to the library was exciting! After church on Sundays we would go to the library which opened at noon after church was over. I loved to read, the smell of books, and the confusing but useful card catalog. I am glad you were able to get this piece.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you for sharing these memories!

[@cecoya]

Used to work in a library years ago that had these card catalogs, they were great then. Actually about the only way to do inventory on the books and keep track of what we had available. I love these old cabinets with all their little drawers and lots of storage space included. Now I do doll house miniatures and I store all my small hinges, door handles, and such in them. Thanks for sharing and you have a great day. Happy Holidays to you and yours

[@MadCityModern]

love this comment!

[@aravenlunatic9028]

Barry,your videos are always respectful and educational as you return old worn out pieces back to their original glory. My face hurts from smiling during this episode;the faded scents,sounds,and joy from countless school library trips came rushing back over the video's length. As a little kid just learning how to use the card catalog and Dewey decimal system,it felt very daunting and impoosible to do and the absolute joy i experienced after finding my first card catalog book made me grin the rest of the echool day. I gushed about it during dinner and received high fives frim both parents and a high ten from my little brother. The younger generations won't ever experience the frustration and joy of flipping through the card catalog to find a beloved book so thanks for the blast from the recent-ish past. Well done Barry!!

[@nickimontie]

I worked in a library in school. When i wasn't reshelving books, i was inserting new cards in the card catalog and removing old ones. It was tedious but i loved it. Thank you for bringing us this treasure ❤

[@gingerdunn6590]

I remember card catalogs in librarys . It looks great again.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you

[@marywhitehead1306]

Thanks for the memories Barry, I spent many hours in the 50's, 60's and 70's researching for papers and projects using the good old card catalogs. Love your history lessons.

[@VictoriaRenn]

Looks incredible! I grew up when the card catalogs were still in use. Thanks for the stroll down Memory Lane!

[@MadCityModern]

new card catalog video was just released

[@cindyredditt5094]

Thanks for your loving restoration and little glimpses of the past

[@MadCityModern]

Thanks for watching!

[@breakingbass6049]

Thanks so much for this Barry. It brought back memories of the small library here in the UK I used as a child, I felt as though I could smell that unique smell again…some 45 years later!

[@MadCityModern]

love this!

[@TheDragonsreach]

Thank you for this project. My use of the Dewey system goes back to the 1960’s and 70’s and because of it I expanded my knowledge base more than traditional schooling. Your work on that catalogue piece CELEBRATES the libraries, librarians and craftsmen really well. Again Thank you.

[@yx6889]

Barry, I really like how you do your videos. It's obvious that you have so much respect for the furniture and the story that they have to tell. I remember learning how to use the Dewy decimal system in school. I'm so glad that you were able to save this piece!

[@MadCityModern]

thank you for this comment!

[@cherylholasek2193]

I’m 73 years young lol and this brought back fond memories of going to the library. Beautiful wood and a lovely finish. Merry Christmas to you and hopes for a healthy and happy New Year. Thanks for these wonderful videos 🎄🎄

[@shirleypedersen7406]

Oh Barry. That refinishing was SPECTACULAR! Well done Sir, well done👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 The BRASS is STUNNING!

[@MadCityModern]

thank you!

[@kathleeno5174]

I'm 76 years old and have loved and used libraries all my life. I was fortunate enough to have spend the last 16 years before retirement working in our local town library. When the library switched from card catalog to a computerized system and remodeled the interior library, much of the furniture was put up for sale and I was lucky to get a 30-drawer card catalog unit with two slide out shelves!!! At home I found that it held our CD collection quite well and it is sitting proudly in our living room still. Thank you for an enjoyable video!!

[@78ABates]

My dad has one thats larger than this that found it's way to their house when he retired from teaching 25 years ago. He never labels what he puts in it so, when you need to find paperclips or scissors its like a game show or a choose your own adventure of pulling doors to find what you need. ❤ Love this restoration!

[@Cathy_MidwestHome_Hens]

My most fond memories of using a card catalog in my home town library was in 1986-1987 when my mother was trying to find her birth parents. I was 15 and was helping her search through old periodicals and phone books, among other resources. She located her birth mother in 1987 ❤

[@Texastimbo]

As a retired professional librarian I loved this! The Dewey decimal system is still used in many schools across the nation. The college that I attended still uses it!

[@alohamom2380]

Aloha, Barry! My mind went back to a day in elementary school when I stood at our school library's card catalogue, opened a drawer and pulled out the card to locate a book. If my memory still serves me, it was either one of E E Milne's "Winne the Pooh" books, or Marguerite Henry's "Misty of Chincoteague". Mahalo Nui for the walk down memory lane! 📚

[@MadCityModern]

love this memory! thank you

[@kimhartmann4414]

Another beautiful and informative restoration. It reminded me of how old I am to realize there are people who never used a card catalog! I love your videos. Please keep them coming.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you so much

[@debbieday52]

I was of a generation who used these catalogs and showed my kids how to use them too. I can easily recall the look, feel and even the smell of them.

[@jodyjones8155]

So, so much love the restoration. Dessert with history of the library on top. I'm an old gal that knew, hopefully your narration will get to another generation. Thank you very much!

[@TheLadyTWells]

Loved this restore. Always loved the old card catalogs that were in the library. Before everything went digital.

[@MadCityModern]

me too

[@nancykaminski8600]

I worked in the small branch library in my suburb for 7 years, from sophomore year high school through senior year college, as a library page. I loved the card catalog! When searching for a book on a topic, the cross references led me to other topics and books I would not have found otherwise,something you just don’t really get in online searches. As a page I couldn’t mess with the card catalog, that was the librarian’s job--but just using it was a joy. And to this day I know the Dewey Decimal numbers for nonfiction categories. Our library had those wonderful oak tables (with rounded corners so you didn’t hurt yourself when you ran into them) and comfortable oak chairs, perfect for studying. I wish I had one of those tables now, they were beautiful in their simplicity. And I wish I had a card catalog like yours!

[@ritahum5092]

Wow Barry, you brought back so many memories. I always loved spending time in the library as a child and continued through my college years. Your videos are always so relaxing, entertaining and informative. You are a favorite.

[@MadCityModern]

so glad you enjoyed this one

[@pitsnipe5559]

Boy, did that bring back memories! Going to the library (Hinkley Memorial Library) on Saturday mornings or after school. Sitting in the reading room with Popular Mechanics, or searching the card catalog for biographies ( my favorite as a boy).

[@MadCityModern]

these were also my favorites to search for!

[@pattyharrison6386]

I remember a lot of time hunched over a much larger cabinet for our much larger community library searching for books for school projects.

[@joycemiller6188]

congrats on finding such a treasure. you did a fine job restoring it

[@MadCityModern]

thank you so much

[@mightyporky]

Barry , my name is Boyd, older fellow who loves woodworking videos. Your sentiments are refreshing and the content is just as close to perfect as can be.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you so much Boyd!

[@carolinesemple2298]

That come up a treat. Let’s face it items like that and other older furniture isn’t made like that today. A man’s reputation was on the line years ago, about the quality of work and the craftsmanship.

[@CONSTELLATION_PEGASUS]

That turned out beautifully, Barry! Due to the compromised original finish, refinishing it was the best way to preserve it, for every day use. As for the brass hardware, I would've had to leave the old patina on that. Even with a new finish on the wood, if the old patina was left on the brass, it would still retain the look of its age better. It is a phenomenal piece, and you did a phenomenal job with it!

[@MadCityModern]

excellent feedback. i don't even disagree with you. the nice part is, the brass will tarnish naturally once again with daily use

[@HravnOdinsson01]

I miss going to the library. It was always an adventure. Going through the card catalogues without any specific book in mind but looking for a title that would seem interesting. Then once you found something you liked you would either have to remember the numbers of the location or write it down on one of the little pieces of scrap paper they always kept close to the card cabinets. Then the adventure of actually tracking it down through what felt like ancient corridors of the secret Vatican library. Books upon book and looking at the shelves for the matching numbers. Then once you found the right column you had to find the right numbered shelf. Then the right numbered book. THEN once you finally track down that one book you were looking for you practically forgot all about it because of all the other cool books in the general area. It was like an epic scavenger hunt for sacred hidden knowledge or another key in book form to a whole other world of even more adventures. For a kid in the 80s and 90s it was absolutely epic lol.

[@MadCityModern]

such a great memory! my memories are similar!

[@mariehohmann1459]

At 85 I have many memories of libraries, Carnegie and others. I started as a young teen shelving books at the local branch library. Then working in my high school library, on to the library at my college. We always had these catalogs to look up what we needed. Today I use the computer at the library to find what I'm looking for, but I still love the library! I love watching you bring all kinds of furniture back to life, this was especially poignant!

[@MadCityModern]

i really enjoyed this comment. thank you

[@christinebrady6842]

OMGosh! I just LOVE card catalogs. You did this one beautifully.

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you so much!

[@CrazyCatLady1968]

I instantly smelled the library and felt the anticipation of running my fingers through the card file to find the next adventure I would take with a book when I saw this piece ❤ I am in that last generation to bridge the gap of knowing how to use the card catalog and using the online search & sometimes - I just really want to see & feel the cards 😊

[@klk12399]

Beautiful piece; sweet memories of good books read.

[@MadCityModern]

Thanks for listening

[@kimberlyallen6582]

My tiny home town of 3000 people had a one room library in the top floor of the original courthouse turned museum. When I was 11 a new library building was built. I would borrow the maximum number of books allowed every two weeks and loved leafing through the card catalogue to find books. Such a beautiful piece and I am glad it has a home in your home.

[@MamaK65]

Such a beautiful piece of history!!

[@MadCityModern]

thank you

[@patriciasamalens9840]

Bonjour d'Occitanie (France) Merci pour cette vidéo et moment d'histoire. Les fiches des bibliothèques, donnaient toutes les indications et même celles du prêt. C'est bien plus agréable de regarder le bibliothécaire chercher dans ce petit meuble que de le voir chercher sur l'ordinateur. Le résultat pour cette petite rénovation est très jolie.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you so much for this

[@Christin5554]

hi Barry, I sure missed you. It has been such a long time since you had a video. I love what you did with this piece. It never gets boring to listen to your knowledge. Thanks for entertaining us.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you so much. i will have more content very soon

[@DragonflyTransformativeFurn]

That tiger oak is absolutely beautiful. Amazing restoration! We may not use card catalogs anymore, but this one will live on.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you!

[@sophie072005]

Anither beautiful restoration Barry. Thanks for sharing your memories of libraries. One of my favourite places as a child.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you!

[@lynvoyager5976]

Barry this revival brought back so many memories of my days as an assistant librarian in a small country library in North Queensland Australia in the 70's. Though we didn't have this particular cabinet, we had similar Australian versions. Thanks for the remembrances.

[@adamseery7738]

Color was perfect.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you

[@tedlym.3390]

I enjoyed watching you restore this, especially the brass. You are brilliant! Thank you,

[@MadCityModern]

thank you

[@wendyhenschel.]

Hi Barry. Hope all is good with you and your family. We have not been seeing you post much this year. This piece brings back memories for me as I used to work in the library part time. I used to make up all the labels for the new books that were purchased and catalogue them all. this was in the early 80's. We did everything by hand back then. No computers in our library. I lived in a small town, so it took a bit for us to catch up, lol. I miss this system though. It was so easy to use. I hope you keep this one and slide her in next to the beautiful desk. Thanks for sharing this lucky find. 😍

[@MadCityModern]

hi Wendy! I will be back with more content very soon!

[@wendyhenschel.]

@@MadCityModern good to hear! Love your stories while working on the pieces!

[@CTcatfur]

I’m grateful to have grown up during the 70s and learning this file system. I love libraries and actual books. The lost beautiful library that I’ve been to is the Pasadena Public Library in California.

[@mdeysenroth]

I am well acquainted with the Dewey Decimal System. I remember the first time I walked into my local public library and found I had to search for a book on the computer. Who would have thought that something I used throughout my entire school career would now be museum worthy! Beautiful work as always.

[@vladeckk21]

Collectors are all well and good but I love that you restored this piece to it’s original usefulness instead of worrying about the original finish

[@lesliegoldstein3725]

Glad you are restoring a library card catalog drawers. Perhaps you took out the rods that hold the catalog cards in place, the holes in the front are empty. It might nice to have a rod for one of drawers and cards with recipes, addresses whatever, to show how the card catalog drawers worked.

[@MadCityModern]

such great feedback. the larger one i have was used for recipes for a long time

[@mollysheridan7134]

Lovely job. And the grain in that wood is fantastic.

[@MadCityModern]

thank you

[@heidisettles5537]

Surprisingly my favorite moment was when you polished that brass! Excellent project and history lesson. Loved all the local libraries and school libraries where I worked. I saw a beautiful library book stand like the kind that holds up a massive dictionary or atlas in a consignment store recently. That is also a relic from bygone days.

[@kristinebyrne5021]

I just purchased a Library Bureau Sole Makers cabinet at an estate sale a few weeks ago and debated about refinishing it or leaving it as-is. Thank you for showing your process and for preserving an important part of library history. I think this is my favorite project of yours.

[@MadCityModern]

awesome! would love to see it

[@joyceclark8476]

Hi Barry, I was just thinking of you this morning. Wondering about a video. Here you are. A premonition on my part, perhaps 😊. Yes indeed I used them In the public library in my hometown growing up. The year of the library on the building is , if I remember correctly was 1908. It’s still standing. Of course, a new modern building was added on to it. The old section is used now for historical pieces. Awesome, awesome job . Looks so beautiful. Glad you saved it. Joyce❤️🙏🇺🇸

[@MadCityModern]

Hi Joyce. Thank you for sharing this! Happy Holidays!

[@jodidavis6595]

I’ll be 59 this Christmas. So I remember very well learning how to file in school. It was a privilege to be asked my our librarian to help her during your study hall to get the files re organized before Christmas break. So many things from days past that I’m so happy I was able to learn. Cursive writing for sure. This desk you restained is such a beautiful piece for many reasons as you mentioned. History is wonderful and you now have several to cherish. Thank you for sharing and your educational teachings ❤️

[@MadCityModern]

loved reading this comment

[@LTGormanLV-426]

Beautiful work! I remember using the card catalog when I was little. I’m now a librarian at a public library and people still ask about the card catalog 😍

[@MadCityModern]

that's incredible!

[@jeannehayhurst1500]

Ah yes, I remember these well. Beautiful job on this piece!

[@MadCityModern]

Thanks for listening

[@margeryk000]

It makes me sad to know that a piece of my childhood will be lost to history. Thanks so much for keeping a small bit of that memory alive. I have very fond memories of studying in the "stacks" at the Memorial Library on the Madison campus. I wonder if they still have the "cages" up there where you could study for hours and not hear another human being.

[@MadCityModern]

i considered visiting there for this video

[@lorettataylor3374]

Beautiful job Barry. Love the history you provide.❤️

[@MadCityModern]

thank you

[@elizabethlevy9496]

I love this kind of furniture from our history. I also have some tiger oak chairs that I had professionally refinished. So worth it!

[@beatamichalska6220]

Oh dear! What an outstanding piece of furniture. Thank you for sharing this. I remember this kind of catalogue 😊

[@MadCityModern]

thank you

[@DawnDavidson]

I’m a bit older than you, born at the tail end of the Baby Boom generation. So I have certainly learned and used the Dewey Decimal system with wooden card catalogues. I last actively used physical card catalogues in a small specialty library on the University of California Berkeley campus where I worked from 1988-2002. I remember being surprised that they still were using cards. Even that library had much larger card catalog cabinets, though. The main UC Berkeley library was still using traditional card catalogs when I attended there from 1980-1984. The catalogs were ENORMOUS, taking up a very large room in the library. Getting up into the main stacks was like entering another world. I used to spend time up there reading books on medieval costuming and cookery. Good times! My great-Aunt was a librarian as well. She retired when computer databases and information science took over what librarians used to do, and changed the skill set necessary for the job. When I look at that card catalog, I think back to the time when such a small cabinet could hold the entire contents of a city library. That cabinet could certainly hold thousands of entries, which would have been sufficient at the turn of the 20th century, about when my great aunt was born. These days, even a small city library is likely to have more books than that. And that doesn’t even count all the ebooks and audiobooks! The world has changed dramatically in my lifetime in this regard. Thanks for sharing your lovely refinishing and repair job. It’s just gorgeous as always. I’m glad you were able to rescue it and give it a new lease on life. It’s gorgeous (stunning grain!), and I’m sure it will serve you well, whatever you do with it.

[@WobblyBiped]

What a gem! I was introduced to card catalogs in the 1960s and thought they were the keys to the kingdom. Of course, the Internet has made them obsolete for most purposes, but the furniture still has a jillion other uses. I especially like chests with the multiple small drawers that can organize so much of the detritus of everyday life. Great job, Barry! Cheers from Oklahoma!

[@markstrahl8520]

Thanks Berry for sharing this part of history. I remember them at my town’s public library. More I did research when I was in college at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. they were my friends.

[@janetd4862]

I was a teacher in the late 70s to early 80s. I vividly remember using the card catalog looking for books for school, or when working on my masters degree (I didn’t finish - life got in the way). Actually, I can remember searching for books that way up to the early 2000s. It was so sad when I found out that our library got rid of so many old books in favor of digital ones. 😢

[@jillsmith6052]

Ah, the Dewey system. The hours I spent in the university library (in England) pre-internet. The card cabinet is beautiful. I love your videos.