Be Kind; Rewind! (Re)Introducing Fun Retro Media and Vintage Technology to Libraries

Shows how to reintroduce old technology to create new and exciting programming and collections for your library.

Let’s face it, new physical media is disappearing, and digital reigns. New film, music, and video game releases will eventually be digital-only. To move forward, libraries need to look backward.

Old technology offers an exciting and diverse landscape for programs and lending collections. There are more retro video games available than anyone could play. Many films only exist on VHS. Music CDs, cassettes, vinyl, and 8-tracks offer B-sides and songs that don’t appear on streaming music platforms. Retro computers provide access to games and software that will not run on modern computers. DVDs and Blu-ray discs will even be considered retro media. The future for libraries is in preserving and providing access to the past.

In this fun, concise handbook, Christopher Kincaid tackles the appeal and challenges these vintage media pose for circulation. He offers programming ideas to introduce and rekindle interest in old technology and provides lists and suggestions to help you get started building your vintage technology collections. When word gets out about your new (old) library collection, you never know who might stop by!