The Mysterious Card Catalog
A wooden card catalog has appeared in the middle of the Cudahy Family Library. None of the staff knows anything about it. Where did it come from? Why did it appear? What secrets does it contain? Librarian Jamie needs your help!
Wait a minute--what even IS a card catalog?
Nearby, you find what appears to be a cut-up index card of some kind. Can you make sense of it?
That's right, folks. Before we used computer databases to automagically index and sort and search through material collections, librarians used card catalogs like this mysterious one that just appeared in the middle of our library. You could search by SUBJECT, AUTHOR, or TITLE. There were at least three cards for each item and there were notes that let you cross-reference among them.
You have to admit, the card catalog IS gorgeous. You find yourself staring at it and lose track of time.
But why is this one here and not in the woodchipper? As you stare into its multifaceted edifice, you have the strange but wonderful sensation that it is trying to tell you something. Something important. But what?
You also find a faded library card next to the card catalog. It seems like there used to be another word on it but it's long since worn off. You imagine the years of use it has endured.
Do you dare to open the card catalog?
On the floor behind the catalog, you also find a folded piece of old newspaper containing this crossword puzzle. You wonder if it might contain some clue as to what you might find inside... On the back of the crossword, you find someone has scribbled a passage that seems to be from one of Shakespeare's plays....
She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life is but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing.
