I’ve been doing some research about Anne Lipow, and part of my research has taken me into the stacks at UC Berkeley, reading through decades of weekly newsletters. So occupied, I found an example of an entry in the Serials Keyword Index–a crude keyword index to journals printed on microfiche produced from the primitive, glacially slow precursors to what would become the library’s online catalog. (The Index was one of Anne’s many inventions.)
The next time you have a little trouble searching Lexis or Proquest, ask yourself what it was like when journals had to be found by main entries in card catalogs. Fall to your knees and worship automation–and the persistent pioneers, such as Anne, who got us there!
Posted on this day, other years:
- Why virtual participation in ALA must be legalized, not decriminalized - 2007
- Taking Liberty for Granted - 2005
- Santa's Little Helper - 2005
- ALA Campaign Endorsements - 2003
Bookmark to:
Karen,
Well, actually, I designed and programmed the Serials Keyword Index at Berkeley; it was originally produced in paper form, then migrated to microfilm. However, I don’t recall who originated the idea, so perhaps Anne does deserve credit for that.
(This was a LONG time ago. I wrote about it in the only article that appeared with the byline “Walter Crawford,” “Building a Serials Keyword Index,” Journal of Library Automation 9:1, March 1976, p. 34-47.)