Offices: 1968 (and now)
Recently I can across a fascinating picture of one of my predecessors as Chief Librarian at the University of Guelph. The picture of Lachlan MacCrae is circa 1968; he is sitting at this desk in his office in the newly opened McLaughlin Library. I became interested in his desk and office environment, and what it tells us about how things have changed (or not).
Chief Librarians OfficeFirst off, there are only two pieces of technology in the office: a rotary black phone and (on the shelf behind him) a very high tech looking dictating machine.
Prominent on the desk is a day-by-day paper appointment calendar; once ubiquitous, now more a novelty.
In an excellent reminder of how things have changed, there are two (!) ashtrays on the desk. Mr. MacCrae is pictured holding his pipe although it is not lit. Clearly one of the ashtrays is for visitors.
A few key tools: a tape dispenser (who has a tape dispenser on their desk anymore?) and a stapler (still have one of these).
The metal address finder is very nice. You don’t see these around anymore – the spring loaded pages pop up with alphabetic tabs on the side. Looks very elegant. Rather jealous about this one.
There are, of course, books. One is open and being read; there are 3 others on the desk (one with the wonderfully revealing title of “Horace on Poetry” - what core reading among us Chief Librarians would include classical poetry? I confess (blush) to not having a single physical book on my desk at the moment.
Some things remain the same, the desk and the shelves include many paper reports, binders, and files (the paperless office is still an oxymoron; see also my recent article in the Ontarion).
The two chairs in front of the desk are interesting; there is no space for visitors to put their things on the desk. It would seem the desk is set up for an audience not an interaction or an exchange.
And finally, there are no pictures or personal items at all. Perhaps this is because the office is new or perhaps it is a reflection of the age.
...Mike