For National Library Week 2025 and throughout the month of April, the NOAA Library has set up a display of library “treasures” - items from our library history that highlight how a library operated, sometimes day-to-day or within organization changes. See below the items we've included and their associated write-ups.
Account of Books
In this “Account of Books” the Coast Survey highlights titles acquired between 1852-1872 and their associated costs. Pricings range from $1.50 to $70 (for multiple copies), needless to say these weren’t accessible online!
The accounting changes about halfway through the book and appears to phase out marking down the cost of the purchased items.
In 2025, physical books can cost into the $100s and ebooks can range from $40-$60 for non-science or $50-$600 science-related, depending on the licensing!
Anatomy of a card catalog
Card catalogs, thus called due to the “cards” listing each item in the library’s collection, were the de facto Google search engine from around 1901 until 1970-80, when we all gladly closed the drawer and turned on the computer.
Fun fact: What many consider the first attempt at a national library card catalog happened during the chaos of the French Revolution - using playing cards!
Letter from O.H, Tittmann, Superintendent of the Survey to Mr. Pindell, Chief Clerk, Department of Commerce and Labor
How much space does a library take? In 1910 this question was of vital importance to the Coast & Geodetic Survey’s library staff. They calculated the library would need 11,313 sq ft to accommodate the current collection and allow for 10 years of expansion. If the current library collected physical books at the rate of our ebook collections we would need much more than that!
Pink Slip - ILL form attached to an item due back to the former NOAA Library space in Rockville, MD on November 30, 1985.
Loaning material between libraries is called “Interlibrary Loan” or ILL. This service allows access to a world of materials for NOAA staff - increasing the collection of your NOAA library by A LOT.
The NOAA Library currently borrows and lends our collection every day - the written instructions list on the displayed pink slip are still applicable today - items must be returned and proper care is appreciated!
Coast Survey and Weather Bureau Library Catalogs
In 1872, if you needed a book from the Library you would need to consult a slim book from the Office Chief Signal-Officer, United States Army. The catalog very neatly tells you which shelf, case, and number by author and title the desired material was to be found. Titles were in all languages and covered the subjects: astronomy, meteorology, electricity and magnetism, military and navel, and miscellaneous.
We now use our catalog, Discover, which searches all library holdings be they physical or digital, which conveniently can be accessed from your desktop, laptop, mobile phone and definitely covers more subject areas.
