Library Checkout Cards

For several years when I was in college,  I was the assistant book department manager at a local book/movie/video store.  I also worked at the university library.  Although I studied art and theater, I always found myself seeking out books and book-related jobs.

Remember these?

Libraries have changed a lot since the dawn of the internet, and I get kind of nostalgic about the good old stuffy days.  One thing I miss in particular are library check-out cards.

If you want to gussy up your collection, here's a template from Ruth Ann Zaroff at Mirkwood Designs.  That way, if you loan out your books, you know who has them, and hopefully get them back. 

Print out free library cards here from Love Vs. Design.  Isn't that owl the cutest? Here's another option from My Paper Pony.

They're also cute on gifts or used as invitations. (from Parcel Post)

Library Checkout Card DIY

1. Print out the pocket template, stamp the pocket with a personal image, or draw your own.
2. Assemble, and glue in front page of your book.
3. Print out library cards and cut to fit.
4. Put library card in the pocket, and you're done.
5. *optional* Put on cat eyed glasses, put your hair in a bun, and perfect your stink eye and stern shushing technique.

Comments

[Dusti]

I love these! Remember the school library check out cards? It was so cool to see if you knew anyone on the list before you! It always made me smile when I got one a friend (or sister!) had read before me.
My Dad should use these; he is a voracious reader (2-5 per week)who is constantly loaning out books. He gets offended if someone won't read something he just KNOWS they would love. I kinda do too. Pearson....eccentricity.

[Laura Irrgang]

Oh, eccentricity....
is that what the kids are calling it these days?

[Charlotte]

My mom took Sis and me to the library a couple times a month. I developed a love for reading early on, maybe because Mom reading story books to me was so precious. The old way of tracking books was certainly tedious, huh? And to find a book you had to be able to use the card catalog, especially in a larger library. Useless skills nowadays. I give most of my books away; often I will carefully choose which book to give someone, so, yeah, I get kinda offended, too, if they won't give it a try.

[Jill James]

ha! before I sternly shush, I must drape on my cardigan (complete with jeweled clasp!)

LOVE LIBRARIES

[Laura Irrgang]

Ive wished for years I had purchased a card catalog I saw at a flea market.
I just had no idea how rare and expensive they would become, and I only had a tiny apartment at the time.
Do you remember microfiche and microfilm?
I guess those are obsolete now.