Farewell to Forgotten Bookmarks: A Journey Through Lost Pages

As we turn the final page on the Forgotten Bookmarks project, it's time to reflect on the incredible journey we've embarked on together. From hidden treasures tucked between aging pages to the stories that unfolded with each forgotten bookmark, this project has been a testament to the power of curiosity and the joy of discovery.

Extra Feedback from the Project Survey and Conclusion

For questions twenty-nine through thirty-one, librarians might provide extra feedback on the survey themes. One participant stated that they would prefer to use whatever bookmark is available rather than a specific bookmark. A reader may notice unique or themed bookmarks because they are a "favorite" character or subject, according to one. Another participant stated that bookmarks are among my best-selling items as an artist because they often convey useful information or are visually appealing, some make you laugh (for example, a skeleton with "Just one more chapter" written on it), they protect books, and they can carry hidden meanings for the owner. Just do not leave them in a book because if they go unclaimed, they will ignite a fight among librarians if it is a lovely one. Furthermore, while they read your love letters, they will always send you their best wishes. Finally, one person stated that at their library, they design personalized bookmarks with the teens and then laminate them even though many of them use a printed receipt.

The following remarks are about bookmarks that readers have left in books. One participant mentioned that they are always curious about the origins of the bookmarks. Another individual mentioned that they had left bookmarks and questioned if the person before them had done the same. Some bookmarks, according to one, are like time capsules from another era, for example, old due slips and bookmarks inject fresh life into a book. It is always fascinating to see what pops out in literature. Another participant said that every bookmark mentioned in the survey was discovered in a book while completing the inventory and that they were like time capsules because the book had not been studied since before 1994. Another librarian believes that students are so eager to return their books that they forget the bookmark is still inside. The following comments are from library staff and readers about their reading and bookmarking habits. According to one librarian, librarians are the most likely to use a bookmark, and they also have the most overdue books. Three librarians agreed that e-books are becoming more popular, particularly following the pandemic shutdown, and that fewer bookmarks are being used and left behind. According to one librarian, bookmarks containing spaces for TBR lists or books read to serve as an organizing assistance, and it may lead to the reader remembering not only what books they have read, but also the bookmark itself. According to a college librarian, bookmarks should include information relevant to college students, such as phone numbers and online access to university services. Librarians learn about patron, student, and reading habits, as well as bookmarks, by observing what readers use and leave behind as bookmarks, what books they want the library to have, and what books they read the most.

The fifty survey respondents provided interesting and informative information on the types of bookmarks left behind by readers of all ages, student or patron habits, the number of bookmarks they use, the similarities and differences between personal and work reading, and what librarians recommend using and not using for bookmarks. Although standard bookmarks are the most sold in stores, survey data shows that readers of all ages use whatever is nearby when reading. The study found that recipes, invoices, drawings, and notes are the most left behind and used bookmarks. Students and patrons typically use a bookmark provided by the librarian staff or whatever is nearby. Children and young adults enjoy making their own, and middle schoolers tend to keep one bookmark for longer than most readers. The number of bookmarks used while reading varies from one to twelve per book. Readers, especially librarians, prefer physical books, fiction novels, and series over standalone, and they read across a wide range of age groups. Librarians recommend using whatever makes the reader happy as a bookmark when reading, however, if one is reading a borrowed book, they recommend using paper bookmarks to avoid book damage. Librarians strongly advise against using the following: Food of any kind, boogers, tissues, writing utensils, and heavy or thick items as they can cause book damage such as leaving a sticky mess, breaking the book spine, ruining the text or pages, and causing the book to be thrown away due to the damage not being readable, used, or picked up by readers. Readers are suggested to not use pen or markers to make notes as it can bleed through and ruin the text, and not dog-ear the corner of the pages as it could damage the pages and ruin the reading experience for others. The study revealed a collective data analysis that informs people will use whatever is available, including a cooked piece of bacon, use several bookmarks to mark their place, prefer an array of genres, physical over e-books, novels and series over standalone, what to use and not use when borrowing a library book, and finally the patterns one wanting to pursue a career in a library can have in terms of personal versus work reading. Bookmarks are more than just a way to mark a page; they represent a link to the reader's past, interests, and habits. Take the time to ask about or even search through books for forgotten bookmarks the next time you visit a library or used bookshop because you never know what you could find that could connect you to a prior reader, the book, and its history of readers.

A Tapestry of Tales

Through the Forgotten Bookmarks project, we've unraveled a tapestry of tales – from handwritten notes scrawled in the margins to pressed flowers delicately preserved between pages. Each bookmark is a breadcrumb leading us down a different path, sparking our imagination and inviting us to walk in the footsteps of those who came before us.

The Magic of Lost Pages

There's a certain magic in lost pages, in stumbling upon a forgotten bookmark and feeling like you've unearthed a hidden treasure. It's a reminder that books are more than just words on a page – they are portals to different worlds, to forgotten memories, and to the collective human experience.

Saying Goodbye

As we bid farewell to the Forgotten Bookmarks project, we do so with a profound sense of gratitude for the stories we've uncovered and the connections we've forged along the way. Though this chapter may be closing, the spirit of curiosity and discovery that fueled this project will continue to live on in each of us.

Thank You

To all our readers, contributors, and fellow book-lovers who have joined us on this adventure, we extend a heartfelt thank you. Your enthusiasm and passion have been the driving force behind the Forgotten Bookmarks project, and we are endlessly grateful for your support.

What's Next?

While the Forgotten Bookmarks project may be coming to an end, the spirit of exploration and wonder that it inspired will continue to guide us forward. Who knows what hidden treasures lie waiting to be discovered in the pages of books yet to be read?

Join Us on the Next Chapter

As we close this chapter on the Forgotten Bookmarks project, we invite you to stay connected with us. Follow our social media channels for updates on future projects, book recommendations, and more. Together, let's keep the magic of forgotten bookmarks alive and continue our journey through the captivating world of literature.

In the end, we may have reached the final page of the Forgotten Bookmarks project, but the stories we've uncovered will linger on, a testament to the enduring power of books and the boundless curiosity of the human spirit.

So here's to the forgotten bookmarks, the lost pages, and the stories waiting to be discovered. May we always find joy in the simple act of turning a page and unraveling the mysteries that lie hidden within.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible adventure.