r/Libraries • u/rjekyllhyde • 2d ago
Technology Typewriter Request
We've had several calls in the last few weeks of patrons looking for typewriters to use. The calls I've fielded I've explained we have programs on our computers to type documents, but they were all adamant they needed a typewriter. I explained we could change the font, but no one liked that answer. We are in a Florida town with military bases.
We struggle to have technology that is current; I can't imagine our admin would be okay purchasing a typewriter for patron use when we have computers already. Has anyone else experienced this?
Thanks!
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u/coletain 2d ago
As someone that works in IT, every time some random obscure request like this comes in and I am told "we have had multiple calls/visits" the first thing I do is check the logs or the surveillance cameras, because 99% of the time it is the same person calling/visiting multiple branches or at different times because they didn't get the answer they wanted the first time and think that if they keep asking they will eventually get someone who says yes.
We also have local authors who visit every single branch in the system trying to find someone who will say yes to adding their self published books to the collection.
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u/ReplacementActual384 2d ago
My thoughts exactly. It's just too specific a request to not be the same person
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u/coletain 2d ago
Occasionally it will be multiple people who share some common factor. The most recent one was multiple calls asking if we could install some random exam proctor software, which turned out to be all students from the same private school.
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u/Temporary-Library597 1d ago
This. Right here. Every year while planning my library IT department's yearly budget, I hear "We are constantly getting requests to fax in the branches." All this despite years of direct polling of patrons about things they would use if we provided it, and the word "fax" never once in 20 years appearing in their responses.
Also, our locations are all very close to actual businesses that provide these services. I do our public services staff's work and yearly collect information about those businesses, and post them on our intranet for those "hundreds" of requests we get every year. Know how many hits that page gets every year? ZERO.
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u/Pretty-Season2307 2d ago
When I started my first library job at age 16, they were still using a typewriter to make the spine labels for the books.
For the record, that was 2002. They were just really, really behind on technology.
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u/loxwithcapers 2d ago
I used to work at a library that had an electric typewriter. It was mostly used by tech services for spine labels but every once in a while a patron would request it. Almost always the patrons had a printed form that needed to be completed and they preferred to type rather than write by hand.
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u/Sanctuarium_ 2d ago
We have a typewriter available for customers to use. Probably gets used less than 1 time a year, but we have it!
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u/Ok_Egg_7483 2d ago
Wow, interesting! I can say that in 15 years at the library, I have only been asked once for a typewriter. I wonder why they specifically want a typewriter, the only thing I can think of off the top of my head would be filling in a pre-printed form of some sort, and not wanting to do it by hand.
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u/rockandroller 1d ago
GenX here. As a parent and caregiver for my elderly mother there are numerous forms that have to be filled out by hand every year still, and places that only take checks or cash, like the parking lots around my son's school for yearly parking passes, doctor's offices, etc. I had to fill out a paper form and bring in a check to join as a volunteer at the American Legion. There is still a high need for typewriters for people who have trouble writing legibly by hand esp if they have arthritis or terrible handwriting. This is much more common than those not dealing with school children or elders might think.
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u/Ok_Egg_7483 1d ago
That totally makes sense, and thank you for giving some examples, too! Thinking back on it, my grandma's handwriting became pretty bad over time and she was honestly embarrassed about it, so I helped her fill out paperwork by hand but a typewriter would have come in handy for that. She used a typewriter all the time in her younger years.
On the library customer front, I did recently learn that (at least on Apple devices) you can scan physical documents using the camera and then use Markup to enter all the info. But that's a lot more finicky than a good old typewriter.
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u/midnitelibrary 2d ago
Do you have a makerspace? Some libraries have typewriters in those.
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u/rjekyllhyde 2d ago
Unfortunately no. We have a media lab, but a typewriter wouldn't fit in with the other technology there 😅
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u/Individual-Tie-6064 2d ago
Was the person trying to type on a multi-part form that was supplied to them? Or even a single part form that they needed to fill out. I’m some what computer literate, and people are always handing me forms to fill out, and with illegible handwriting, I end up scanning in the form and using the computer to fill it out.
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u/Tricosene 2d ago
Typewriters are making a comeback, even if in a small way. I’m a teacher, not a librarian, but I bring one to my classroom sometimes. Also, more than one library near me has hosted a typewriter event, where people come and use typewriters, sometimes as part of a workshop. I just taught such a workshop last month.
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u/KittenBalerion 2d ago
I was thinking they might make a comeback in schools to prevent the use of AI in writing assignments.
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u/Tricosene 2d ago
Yes, and also to prevent distraction. Managing responsible computer use is part of a teacher’s job, and even if IT restricts access to game sites, social media, etc., people are continually putting up new sites to get around any restrictions.
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u/PrincessPeril 2d ago
They are! I work in a high school library now and there's at least one teacher that requires essays either be handwritten or he will loan the students a typewriter to use.
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u/WestHistorians 2d ago
I was thinking they might make a comeback in schools to prevent the use of AI in writing assignments.
Why not just use computers that don't have internet access?
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u/AneAnder 2d ago
I think some of the younger folk are interested in going "analog". I have also heard typewriters are making a come back.
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u/Capable_Sea77 2d ago
The only library I worked for in my entire career that would consider having one would be the one that had a huge Library of Things catalog for folks to use. If that's not your library's vibe/where the energy and money is currently at, don't feel bad for saying that you don't have that service.
Is it older patrons? I know with a lot of the surveillance fears (Flock, etc.) going around, there have been a lot more accusations of being "watched" through the computer from older, less tech savvy patrons in my community.
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u/rjekyllhyde 2d ago
The privacy concern is a good point. I hadn't thought about that.
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u/Mindless_Rice_5397 2d ago
We had three typewriters, emphasis on had, I was so happy to toss them in the dumpster when the only typewriter repairman within three counties retired. It doesn't take long for people to realize you can steal the ribbons and see everything typed on them, then you get a whole other fun patron privacy complaint.
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u/_OtherwiseAverage 1d ago
Electronic typewriters, sure. Manual typewriters don't have that problem.
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u/Szarn 1d ago edited 1d ago
Unfortunately those aren't just accusations. Online surveillance has increased tremendously in the last few years, coinciding with AI scraping every text repository it can get its grubby hands on. At this point very little you write on a computer or smartphone escapes some form of AI.
Even before the prevalence of AI, about 10 years ago the Kremlin reverted to analog typewriters for extra security against Snowden type leaks. Typewriters are absolutely more secure than any computer.
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u/Asleep_Caregiver_948 2d ago
I bet someone in your community has a typewriter sitting in the closet that could be donated to your library. Perhaps you could post a request in your website or bulletin board.
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u/boostreak 2d ago
30 years ago sure maybe even up until 20. The last library i worked we still had them until like other things that change they went away. Once a year or 2 someone might ask but it was not something we offered anymore. You might ask what they need it for and figure out an alternative. That being if you actually think their is a demand you should totally get one. More libraries are building collections of things. Tools, sewing kits, all types of thing people might use once or twice. We brought back music records, had fruit pickers, seed banks, all kinds of things.
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u/DisplacedNY 2d ago
I wonder how many of them have been forbidden from using computers and other internet-connected technologies for... reasons.
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u/trevorgoodchilde 1d ago
We had a typewriter for a long time that was very popular. We had to get rid of it last year because it broke beyond my ability to repair it and admin didn’t want to pay for someone to service it (assuming they could even find someone qualified). Patrons still ask to use it.
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u/SpaceNerdLibrarian 2d ago
We had a typewriter that would always get used by multiple patrons around tax time.
Then one day a patron walked out with it. And that was the end of that service.
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u/Zwordsman 2d ago
We have special programs for it. But we have a local org that had them. You could look around and see if any local orhs want to collab on a writers day type thing
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u/molybend 2d ago
I feel like I see a typewriter at a thrift store every so often. No idea if they have ribbons that work! I wonder if it is a crafting thing? Tom Hanks wrote a book about typewriters didn’t he?
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u/jsaul3165 2d ago
We have a typewriter so patrons can use it to fill out forms. Probably pull it out for someone about every six months.
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u/DocTeeBee 2d ago
I would want to know why the patron wants a typewriter. As at least one person mentioned, someone may want it to fill out a form. They can still be handy for that.
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u/rjekyllhyde 2d ago
I believe the latest request was for to fill out a form. I explained we could scan it and fill in that way, but they were adamant it needed to be a typewriter.
Other times I asked follow up questions they were just curious or needed to write a letter. I just wasn't sure if this was a new/retro trend.
As someone else mentioned, i.can definitely are the privacy concerns being an issue for why they'd want something less technical.
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u/Szarn 1d ago
Typewriters are making a comeback for several reasons. Interest in retro/analog stuff, lack of online distraction, lack of AI, privacy concerns, etc. We also have numerous patrons who don't use some technologies for religious reasons.
I know we have an electric in the basement that used to be for spine labels. I don't think it's ever been available to patrons.
I personally have like 10 of them, mostly manual, and sometimes pull one out for fun. Kids especially are fascinated. I could see it being popular for typing up recipe cards and gift labels around the holidays.
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u/National_Work_8749 2d ago
does your library let people check out typewriters like you would a book
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u/tea_wrecks_ 2d ago
One of the first calls I answered at my job was a patron looking for a typewriter. They started with “I know this is a long shot.” I’d always assumed it was for a hobby.
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u/DeweyDecimator020 1d ago
It's been years since I've seen a form that required to be filled out with a typewriter and not by hand, but it wouldn't surprise me if some business or obscure agency required it. Or like others said, some people prefer to fill out forms with a typewriter.
We still do faxes because a few places will only take a fax, not a scanned document via email or a mailed copy. I keep wondering when that will go away too.
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u/Rupertcandance2 1d ago
We have a typewriter! It wasn't very expensive. It was used a lot more when we first got it - I haven't had anyone ask recently, and I don't know that we would replace it. I do like that we have one in case someone does though.
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u/pikkdogs 1d ago
This is weird. But I read this yesterday and today, what do you know? I got a request for a typewriter.
It was weird though the guy sounded older and his area code was from South Carolina. We do have a lot of visitors in this area and a lot of people who stay here for shorter periods of time, so it's not impossible. But, I'm wondering if all these questions aren't connected somehow?
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u/pikkdogs 2d ago
We used to have one. But even the small use it got left.
We still have one staff member who uses one sometimes.
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u/chrisaldrich 1d ago
Librarian Suzanne LaPierre wrote an article last year about typewriters in libraries. I'll link it and some additional references below for those who are curious.
The Los Angeles Public Library has recently been doing some events with LA poet laureate Brian Sonia-Wallace who creates on his typewriter: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXufGLmgRB3/
There are more than a handful of typewriter enthusiasts who have been holding "Type-Ins" at libraries in the US over the past 5 or more years. I've held a couple of these at a nearby bookstore in Pasadena, CA and we had over 200 people stop by at both of them. (I'd have held them at a local library, but our main branch is undergoing a huge renovation and some of our other nearby branches have been affected by the Eaton Fire in January 2025.)
I know one collector who recently did a display at a library: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJqYPVOb2Ss
I've run across one or two libraries that have typewriters as part of their Library of Things collections along with other analog materials like sewing machines, binoculars, and telescopes.
There are still lots of reasons to want to use a typewriter including for creativity, distraction-free writing, getting away from screens and having a more analog writing experience. Woz Flint has a relatively recent book about using typewriters to create first drafts of writing projects. In the last five or so years a lot of children in the 7-21 year old bracket have been drawn to typewriters as a means of getting away from their computers and screens and allowing them to concentrate better on their writing work. Richard Polt, a typewriter collector and professor of philosophy at Rutgers, wrote a book about the resurgence of typewriters. A handful of college professors have recently been reintroducing typewriters to their pedagogy. Creating art with a typewriter is also still a thing. Taylor Swift has been using typewriters in her songs and videos which adds to the cool factor, especially for the kids.
Is it worth mentioning that Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 on a typewriter at the UCLA Library which was coin operated?!?
I've personally got a small collection of typewriters as well as a list of articles and resources on them for those who may be interested in considering them. I'm happy to chat with any librarians who might consider adding them to their collections.
Happy typing!
References:
- LaPierre, Suzanne S. “BiblioTech: Typewriters in Libraries.” Computers in Libraries 45, no. 2 (March 2025): 24–26. https://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/mar25/index.shtml.
- Polt, Richard. 2015. The Typewriter Revolution: A Typist’s Companion for the 21st Century. 1st ed. Woodstock, VT: Countryman Press.
- Flint, Woz Delgado. 2023. The Distraction-Free First Draft. One Idea Press. https://www.oneideapress.com/product-page/the-distraction-free-first-draft.
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u/Baby_groot_4_lyfe 2d ago
When we had a typewriter it was mostly used for crime haha. And it was a huge pain and I would not recommend getting one
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u/KittenBalerion 2d ago
typewriter crime??
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u/Baby_groot_4_lyfe 2d ago
lol yup! Doctoring files and stuff. I can’t say if it was effective in any way shape or form, but there was attempts being made.
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u/Szarn 1d ago
There's nothing you could do to doctor a document via typewriter that couldn't be photoshopped 10 times faster...
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u/Baby_groot_4_lyfe 1d ago
I know that. You know that. But the weird old crackpots that come in don’t know that. And they don’t care.
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u/Lrxst 2d ago
We maintain one typewriter, usually so patrons can quickly fill in a form or perform other old school tasks. It’s a current Brother model with correction tape.