Working llike they did in the old days

Well our library HQ moved to their new building over the weekend and we are all suffering as a result. First of all, we haven't had a van in a week (this is the truck which moves books etc between branches). So no requested items arriving, no new magazines or newspapers that come through HQ.

Then the computer system went down (this was planned) on Sunday and was scheduled to be back up today. However apparently when they went to connect everything, yesterday I guess it was, they blew both the power and the air conditioning to the server room. It was 33 degrees in there this morning. So now the return of the computer system is looking doubtfully at Thursday.

So... we can check things out, but that's it. No checking in. The back check in area is starting to look like a walled city from which there's no escape. Nothing to put away since nothing coming in. No requesting of items, no checking the catalogue, no (gasp!) Internet access.

And yet people are still coming in - which frankly amazes me. It's good to see that people do still come in just to read! And if they bring a laptop they can still access the wireless across the road.

We should have some very tidy shelves by the time this is over, and my office should also be in really good shape. We can get into Word so I've tidied up my files, both physical and electronic. I've been typing memos instead of emailing, and phoning instead of emailing (but not to HQ 'cause their phone system isn't 100%).

And to those people who are looking for specific books, well they're getting answers like

• we have that but there's a waiting list; if you leave your name & barcode we'll request it for you later
• that title doesn't sound familiar but if you leave your name & barcode we'll look it up for you later
• if we had anything on that topic it might be shelved in the ....... area (after looking at the good old hardcopy of Dewey)

Where's a good old-fashioned card catalogue when you need it??