public library RAM

act I: low on memory

2026-08-25 (Tuesday)

when i returned some CDs at one of the odense public library's media-return-machines, i noticed the following warning:

Close programs to prevent information loss

Your computer is low on memory. Save your files and close these programs:

OpenJDK Platform binary

screen of the library's media return machine, text 'indsæt materialer et ad gangen' (insert materials one at a time) with superimposed microsoft windows error box: 'Close programs to prevent information loss', 'Your computer is low on memory. Save your files and close these programs: OpenJDK Platform binary' — ~~3 billion devices~~ ur library runs java

the machine next to that one still worked though and happily ate the various CDs which i had borrowed.

act II: out of memory

2026-08-29 (Saturday)

today, both media-return-machines were out of order.

heap of books with sign 'aflevering' (return) in front of the two dead media-return-machines — help, the heap is full!

i first put the book i wanted to return on the little trolley with the sign AFLEVERING (which means RETURN), but it did not feel right.

black and white windows shell screen with Java warning and log messages — a patchy tomcat.

another patron of the public library was so kind as to tell me the media-return-machine outside in front of the library was still working, so i just returned the book there. it was Olga Ravn's 2015 novel Celestine.