When Richard Matson started as Lake Ripley Elementary school librarian in 1971, a card catalog was still a chest of drawers with titles of books arranged by author and topic.

Reel-to-reel video recorders were the newest gadget of the day. And personal computers in libraries were still a decade away.

Matson, a media specialist at Litchfield High School and Middle School, has seen many changes in his 37 years in the school system, especially when it comes to his work in the library. From index cards to video cassette camcorders to laptops, he’s discovered the key is flexibility.

“I guess because my job has changed so much, from student (grade) levels to technology,” he said.

A Twin Cities native, Matson, 62, came to Litchfield from the University of Minnesota in 1971 as an elementary school librarian. Originally interested in teaching social studies, Matson had decided to branch out because of the job market and became interested in library science.Richard Matson

In his early days at Litchfield, libraries did not use electronic circulation systems. Students checked out books by signing out an index card stored in a back pocket. A computerized circulation system was the first big change Matson encountered, he said, a change that speeded up his job and helped with inventory.

Matson’s job centered around not only book circulation, but also handling audio and visual equipment. Matson would be responsible for showing teachers how to use the now nearly extinct gadgets like film and slide projectors and portable record players.

“That has gotten to be much reduced as computer technology really has taken over,” he said.

Read the complete story in the June 5 Independent Review.