Library of Congress in 1968 Computer Automation, a "Snapshot in Time"

120520 Like and subscribe. This is an archive, check the link in the end if you are owner. Vintage 1968 -- Automation and manual processes at the Library of Congress. Established in 1800, the largest library in the world, and the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and home of the Copyright Office. It houses over 140 million books, recordings, photographs and other items. Its Congressional Research Service (CRS) serves congressional committees and Members of Congress. Its first internal computer system, an IBM 1401, was installed in January 1964, for use in payroll, budget, billing, accounting and reporting. In the 1960’s, computer time was also leased from Yale University for about $275 per hour.

After a multi-year feasibility study, a major automation Pilot was launched which included the installation of an IBM System/360, and the development of a new cataloging system known as MARC (“Machine Readable Cataloging”), which was operational by November 1966. Data was transmitted to outer libraries via magnetic tape. The system was greatly expanded and improved through the 1970’s.

This excerpt from 1968, shows many of the manual processes in use by the Library on a daily basis, and a glimpse of its very early stages of automation. It provides a vintage “Snapshot in Time” of daily activities in the Library of Congress.

Run time: 10 minutes

It’s a great place to visit if you ever get to Washington D.C.!

For Further Information:
About the Library of Congress
https://www.loc.gov/about/

Half a Century of Computing (Blog)
https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2014/01/a-half-century-of-library-computing/

Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC) Program
Henriette D. Avram; The Library of Congress
https://www.smecc.org/library-resources/machine-readable%20cataloging%20marc%20by%20avram%5B1%5D.pdf

Annual Report for 2013
https://www.loc.gov/static/portals/about/reports-and-budgets/documents/annual-reports/fy2013.pdf

Library of Congress Fiscal 2017 Budget Justification
https://www.copyright.gov/about/budget/2016/loc-fy2017-budget-justification.pdf

Annual Report for 2018
https://www.loc.gov/static/portals/about/reports-and-budgets/documents/annual-reports/fy2018.pdf

Original film courtesy of Library of Congress
https://www.loc.gov/about/
and Encyclopedia Britannica

Thanks to Speakeasy Archives (Old Time TV, Radio: digital transfers) http://www.speakeasyarchives.com/
https://rumblevideoarchive.wordpress.com/