Quite a few years ago, we used to have regular and contentious discussions about the need to retain physical mailings for ARLIS/NA member business and publications. Email was available to many or most of us but not everybody. I used to argue (sometimes) that until we only used email, people would insist on physical mailings. Even today, the local Bakers Bridge Historical Association sends out a regular newsletter by mail to about half of our members.
I did finally get a smartphone but my life has not moved there. It is not my favorite venue for dealing with life. Today, I am reading a message from the Brooklyn Museum that they are moving our membership card to digital. It's not the first museum that I belong to to do this but I'd rather not. It almost irks me enough to not renew my membership. When I was in New York City last week, I used my old membership card at the Museum of Arts and Design and the front desk clerk checked their database to be sure that the expiration date was not past. The Brooklyn Museum letter said an unexpired membership card can be used for a grace period, with the implication that grace would not be extended for a long period.
