One of the ideas shared a couple of weeks ago in “Bad Schedules Happen” was that tournament directors should be trained to run events using only pencil and paper. The theory is that knowledge would better equip them to do the same task with the assistance of software. The same day that post was published, I had the very obvious realization that it was highly likely that the USTA had already produced such a guide. In the interim I started asking around and looking for such a resource myself.
The book exists. Even better, there is a copy in the Library of Congress.
The copy of the Handbook for planning and conducting tennis tournaments in the Library of Congress was published in 1986 by the USTA Center for Education and Recreational Tennis. It was edited by Lois H Blackburn. Armed with that information, I am pretty sure that there were also earlier editions published in both 1978 and 1979.
I am kind of hoping that this additional detail might spark people to remember that they have a copy of this book stashed away gathering dust that they would be willing to share with me. This is a book that I genuinely would like to have in my collection or at least borrow for an extended period of time.
In the interim, I am looking for a chance to casually swing by the Library of Congress so I can at least page through it myself. My day job regularly takes me inside the beltway, and I already have a Library of Congress researcher card. It’s really just a matter of time before I lay my hands on it, albeit temporarily.
I have also discovered that there are three college libraries in my region that also have copies of this book. They are Oklahoma Baptist University, Texas A&M, and the University of Houston. However, none of those schools are particularly close to where I live. My money says I will see it first in the District of Columbia.
I will close today with a final confession that will surprise no one: I have library cards and I am not afraid to use them.
