Before Google, Americans called NY Public Library helpline to ask wild questions—some were unforgettable

Today, it's impossible to even think about living in a world where the internet doesn't exist, and googling answers for everything isn't an option. What was initially meant to be a tool for researchers has now evolved to become an inevitable part of our lives, influencing how we communicate, learn, and even relax. Now, imagine if we told you there are still countless people around the world who prefer calling the public library for all their queries. Yes, we are talking about the New York Public Library’s ‘human Google’ service, which is still active. Recently, they shared what people wanted to know before the internet made its way into each pocket.

By contacting the helpline number, 917-ASK-NYPL, which has been around for more than 4 decades, you can reach out to a librarian who will then answer your questions. Notably, in a world where Google has an answer for everything, the New York Public Library (NYPL) revealed that it receives more than 30,000 calls every year. "We have 10 librarians in a team, and we answer any question that you might have over the telephone," Rosa Caballero-Li, manager of Ask NYPL, said. The one-of-a-kind initiative began in 1967. However, even after 5 decades and so many technological advancements, people continue reaching out to them with their interesting albeit weird questions.

Funnily enough, the library has kept a record of the most absurd and otherworldly queries they received even before the internet came into existence. For instance, someone had asked, "Is there a full moon every night in Acapulco?" or "Why do 18th-century English paintings have so many squirrels in them, and how did they tame them so that they wouldn't bite the painter?" But, wait, there is more! Another person had asked, "Are Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates the same person?" At present, where Google has been ruling the world, a report by Exploding Topics claims that there are 16.4 billion searches on the search engine every day, which processes 189,815 searches per second. 

Meanwhile, reacting to the video, featured on Great Big Story's YouTube channel, @wewalked commented, "I think every city should have this. She’s right, sometimes having someone explain it just feels better." @lizzybruster shared, "I also think people prefer calling them over Googling an answer because there's a refreshingness in having help from humans. Plus, sometimes the computer just doesn't exactly have/understand what you're looking for, and you can explain it better to humans."

@nerienea suggested, "Protip: if NYC is long distance for you, try your local library. This is a very normal service offered by most libraries; it's just that most libraries don't have a dedicated department for it, so the librarian who helps you with reference questions at your local public or academic library probably has many other duties as well." @callmeandoru2627 said, "I honestly think if any one of these 10 people plays 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,' they are going to win. With so many random questions being asked, I'm pretty sure any one of them could be at least a mini-library on their own."

On the other hand, @tinytismbutcher confessed, "I work as an online consultant for research at a university library. I kind of feel like a human Google sometimes because people think you have the answer to everything. One time, I got a call from a person on the road, and they asked how to get to a particular place. I had to look up Google Maps and guide them to it because their phone didn't have GPS. Good times. I love being a librarian because information is rampant, but the correct information is not. Stay informed, folks!"