Ever Have “That Sinking Feeling?”

Well, today, not long after Donna and I got to church to work in the library, Donna walked behind the check-out desk and realized that she wasn't hearing the computer tower making its usual humming. At that realization, I think we both had a sinking feeling. We are working with older computers in the library, two of which had quietly stopped working over the last few years. The only one of our three computers that continued to run was the "main frame" = the one that has all the information in it. We, of course, were glad that one continued to work. We knew that we were probably living on borrowed time with that computer, but continued on using it to process books in and to check books out. It seems that yesterday the church electricity was turned off throughout the whole building...the best guess is that when the power surged back on that our computer couldn't take it. It will be looked at a little closer to be sure that there is no hope for it. I guess it will take some creative doings to continue on. We continued to make cards to write who checked out the book, since we aren't always in the library when someone wants a book. Then we checked them out with the computer when we next worked in the library. So there is a way to check out the books. But searching for books except by looking through the shelves won't be easy. It's not something easy like replacing the computer...it has to do with the library software, also...our software won't work on the new computers...and, at this stage ichin our lives, I would certainly have to start over entering books into aa new computer/new software...all over again. We've entered these books many times...first precomputer way...card catalog...typing lots of cards...and, then, computer way...typing all the info into the computer. Lots of hours both ways! This library has been going for more than 50 years...I know because I am approaching working in the library for 50 years...and it was going for several years prior to me working in it. These days use of the library is dwindling due to e-books. We have our group of readers...mainly Christian fiction readers. I don't know whether the library will survive this this glitch or not. At this point, I am trying to creatively think how to make the Dewey number books more easily found! Guess we shouldn't have given up that old card catalog! Computers! Wonderful when they work, but when they don't..! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! (Truthfully, the library debacle doesn't seem real...yet!)