Used to think apps were the future of this stuff, but your flip phone story kinda proves the opposite. The app gives you false confidence, while a real person can actually tell you what's what in two minutes. Tech is only useful when it's right, and sounds like yours wasn't.

Laughing at myself because I still pull out my old cataloging manual from the 80s whenever I'm stuck on a tricky subject heading, so I'm clearly not one to judge old advice. That section on problem patrons sounds like a goldmine though, I bet it's got some gems about dealing with people who think the library is their personal living room. Cataloging rules have changed a ton with digital stuff, but the core idea of putting things where people can find them is pretty timeless. Honestly, if the 1962 book says anything about keeping the reference desk calm during a rush, I'd probably frame it.