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MBLC Celebrates 125 Years

1958

Inside the North Cambridge branch library, 1958

The new North Cambridge branch library, 19581


Librarians have always imagined the future of their profession, striving to both stay ahead of the curve and leverage technological innovations to increase patron access. The following is a view of future libraries from the June 1958 Division of Library Extension newsletter:2

"Some day, whole libraries may be stored electronically in a relatively small space, thus bringing together the world's knowledge for the immediate use of scholars and scientists. Some day, patrons will be able to borrow a book from the library by telephone connection with the right memory unit, causing the pages to appear on a home television screen." - Rodney K. Waldron, in College and Research Libraries, March, 1958.

What else happened in 1958?

  • January 31: The first successful American satellite, Explorer-I, was launched into orbit.3
  • April 15: The San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8–0 in the first major league regular-season game ever played in California.4
  • May 30: Two unknowns killed in World War II and the Korean War were interred at the Plaza beside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.5
  • December 9: The ultraconservative John Birch Society was founded by candy-maker Robert Welch, Jr.6

References:
1. Bay State Librarian (Bulletin of the Massachusetts Library Association), Summer 1958.
2. Division of Library Extension newsletter, June 1958.
3. history.nasa.gov [link].
4. www.walteromalley.com [link].
5. www.arlingtoncemetery.mil [link].
6. time.com [link].