Cathy Cade's Blog: Writing Wrinkles, page 34

Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #6

A personal history Moving On In the new post, I was back with my old team, albeit in a more exalted role. The branch was now operating out of a couple of portacabins on a patch of wasteland while a new civic complex was under construction on the old site. As well as a much … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #6

Cyberspace, Post-Covid

I’ve read posts prophecying that the Covid experience has changed society forever to be more caring and outward-looking. Call me an old cynic; I have yet to be convinced. Wishful thinking aside, I can forsee some benefits from our year, or more, living in cyberspace. Older people, many of whom were previously tech-shy, are now … Continue reading Cyberspace, Post-Covid

Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #5

A personal history Qualified Success Library school was part of a technical college which has since been promoted to a University along with a swathe of others in the 1990’s. To get there from the parental home, I drove through or around London, or was carried beneath it. All routes, including London Underground, took roughly … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #5

Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #4

A personal history Central Ops After Easter, someone remembered I was meant to be experiencing other library departments and I had a last-minute tour of Central Lending, Central Ref, Admin and Accessions, spending two weeks in each. Central lending library was located in a Victorian building which also housed the Town Hall. Administrative departments had … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #4

Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #3

A Personal History The Workroom Everyone would hope to spend some time in the workroom during the day. The first workroom task of the morning was to write out reader tickets for the previous day’s new borrowers and those whose tickets had expired. The book-card-in-ticket arrangement then in use is known as the ‘Brown’ issuing … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #3

Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #2

A Personal History Work Experience The intention for my work experience year was that I would circulate around departments and branches to get an overview of the service. I think, though, that once my college place was secured, they heaved a sigh of relief and forgot about me. Opening hours for the borough’s full-time branches … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #2

Pond People of your very own

The revised Pond People is now available in print and as e-book with the added bonus of a gorgeous cover from John Spiers, writer and artist of My Life with Gracie. Find it on Amazon (preview above) and on Smashwords. Here’s to a Hopeful New Year.

Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #1

A personal history I am at a loss for something to write about while avoiding New Year resolutions, lockdown, or another recap of 2020 (all covered more eloquently by fellow bloggers). I will instead be recapping UK public libraries in the nineteen-seventies, based on my article published in Best of British magazine, August 2018, having … Continue reading Olden Days in UK Public Libraries – #1

The Network

A Story The network wasn’t fast but it served their purposes. Alerts were circulated and action co-ordinated, while underground supply lines sustained the sick or starving. To an onlooker they might seem inactive, but as they stretched to soak up the spring sunshine the network was crackling beneath them. Now news of an attack came … Continue reading The Network

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

For those with time to look online today… Christmas is a family time, but not this year. Lights may twinkle, bells may chime but no-one’s here. No clinking glasses, laughing voices carolling in rhyme. No Christmas cheer. It’s not enough to celebrate a birth; the festive season sells. But this year, inns have little cause … Continue reading Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas