Forecast of confusion
This afternoon, I returned a couple of books to the public library. I have never seen the place more crowded, which begged the question “What’s going on?” Some questions are better left unasked. Today is the day on which all currently valid library cards are no longer so. Due to a software update, all borrowers in the city now must renew their membership. As well, the two databases are incompatible, both on the borrower and book fields, so according to the information sheet being distributed by volunteers, for the next four to six weeks the system will be unable to track any loans currently in progress. Books will not show their real status in any catalogue search.
In my world, that sort of control would not be exactly considered as “state of the art”. I hope the consultants’ bills for this implantation will remain equally “status unknown”.
