Could it be that you have to search under "archaeology"? I found 16 titles under "archeology" at my local library, including the video of The Mummy. I found 257 titles under "archaeology." Oh, and I found 132 titles under "sewing" and only one under "sew clothes." This is in a system of small-town libraries. The county seat has 12,000 people.

It's true that manual card catalogs have some advantages over computerized searches - especially for people who can't spell or can't think of appropriate keywords. It takes a new way of thinking to find things with a computer.

It's also true that computers give managers an excuse for staff reduction - but managers will always find ways to understaff and overload. Good libraries with good philosophies and good management won't suffer staffing shortages because of computers. If your library is understaffed, don't blame it on computers - it's management that's responsible.

-Joe Offer-