My next gift suggestion is, as far as I know, the only Hollywood film about the impact of automation on the workplace library. Desk Set has an all-star cast. Katharine Hepburn is in charge of the reference library at Federal Broadcasting Network, managing a team of savvy librarians, mostly providing their service over the phone. Spencer Tracy is the computing and efficiency expert bought in to see whether EMERAC ("Electromagnetic MEmory and Research Arithmetical Calculator"), a computer the size of a small room, can improve the reference service. The librarians assume that it's going to replace them, merry jinks ensue and there are no prizes for guessing whether Hepburn ends up with Tracey or smooth executive Gig Young. Altogether there are some excellent performances, a glimpse into librarianship of yesteryear and (spoiler alert!) a happy end. As you will see in the trailer, it even has a seasonal Christmas party scene.
Despite the film's age, the DVD seems readily available through the usual outlets.
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