It's not sexy, but patrons will have the genealogical information they are looking for and they will know where to find it--in a building on microfilm. Of course, in a couple of months (actually make that 1 day) I will need to relink this link to the Plain Dealer article. So much, for persistent urls. Call or email the Microform Center 216-623-2910 for more information.
And KUDOS to Ann Olszewski and Cleveland Public Library's Preservation Department for quietly protecting our memories.
Ephemera
Main Entry: ephem·era
/-m&r-E, -rE /; or ephemeras
Pronunciation: i-'fe-m&r-&, -'fem-r&
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural ephemera also ephem·er·ae
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek ephEmera, neuter plural of ephEmeros
1 : something of no lasting significance -- usually used in plural
2 ephemera plural : paper items (as posters, broadsides, and tickets) that were originally meant to be discarded after use but have since become collectibles.
Such a beautiful word to describe the fleeting information generated today. Book. A solid boring word, and yet, the most brilliant human invention for the transfer of information and knowledge from one person to another, from one generation to the next. All hail the book!
Institutional Memory
Next time you enjoy images and memories preserved for future generations--
Thank The Cleveland Public Library.