My dad was a librarian in Michigan in the ’80s, very near the Herman Miller worldwide headquarters. So I grew up around mass-manufactured steel office supplies, molded plastic chairs, books, and the things associated with books: tote bags, Kik Step stools, bookends, bookmarks. Though I came close, I never became a librarian. But several of my friends are currently in library school. So if the career is coming back, why not bring back the style, too?
Two of my dad’s pet peeves: people who thought librarians said, “Shhh,” and people who pronounced it, “li-bary.” What a radical!
I love vintage library furniture. It acts as an industrial-strength junk drawer, or a no-nonesense place to get work done. Who couldn’t get work done on this desk?
And don’t forget the hardware — a handy date stamp and some date due cards and pockets.
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Le Bag! I just bought one of those but I can’t find anything about it! Do u know where it comes from? How old? any history? btw- very cute blog!
mommahenJust read John Kelly’s column in the Washington Post about the disappearance of the date due stamps, cards, and pockets. See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/06/AR2009040603445.html
I’m sure that the formerly omnipresent stamper will soon be a collectible.
I’ll miss it.
SueLibrary pieces are great – I would love to have a card catalog to stash stuff in!
AmyI’m with you on the library love! I love that special color of light Danish wood that you find in libraries and schoolrooms from the 60’s. It’s lighter but has a golden mellowness. Yum.
TANYA SVOBODAIve always had a thing for furniture with little drawers! and I love that heavy duty old school dress. great theme!
lillyellaKatherine-
papernstitchI love that top from HalfCaf…it has librarian written all over it. And I completely agree with your take on library furniture. Excellent post!
-Brittni
Kat,
I’m still holding out that you’ll become one of us. Just kidding. My secret dream is to work at the Miller archives.
Lauren