I wonder how book search systems were used, surely large library indexes existed but how efficient and how often they'd be used..
In a way, book searching is probably the only cool thing about internet IMO. The rest was already nice enough as it was. You don't need ultra high bandwidth and ultra low latency to find a VHS for a night with friends... it won't make the memories better.
Without the Internet: between rentals, purchases, and the library, more than enough media to keep me 100% happy and occupied my entire life for very little money.
With the Internet: Same but now I have way more than I need rather than just more than I need, to the point that picking something to enjoy is kinda hard because there's so much and it's all about equally hard to get—i.e. not hard—all the time. Total expense kinda high, actually, since you can't reduce the base cost of Internet access by checking more movies out from the library, even if you manage to replace Netflix and friends—to use it at all, there's a high monthly price, so if you occasionally need it for work or whatever you're just stuck.
Also, for those who didn't grow up without the Internet, here's a fun one: passing thoughts about trivia didn't used to bug us. In fact they'd often not even reach the level of conscious thought. It was difficult enough to find out the answers to "when was that actor born?" or "who produced [album you don't have on hand]?" that we just... didn't even think about it, most of the time. If we did and no-one within yelling distance knew the answer and there wasn't a relevant coffee table book around to consult, that was it, rarely did anyone go to the effort to find out or feel any kind of nagging sensation that they really ought to go look that up. In short, it was wonderful.
For those who didn't grow up without smartphones (they're old enough to be on here now!): we used to often do one thing at a time, not one thing plus being on our phones. Oh and kids—even ones old enough that they all have their own cell phones now, like 8 or 9 years old—used to just have to find something to do if they got dragged somewhere by their parents and got bored. Usually games with other kids around, if there were any. The games would be imagination-based or use improvised playing equipment—cup ball, for instance, which was like baseball but with a wadded up cardboard concession cup for a ball, and makeshift bases. Seriously.
In a way, book searching is probably the only cool thing about internet IMO. The rest was already nice enough as it was. You don't need ultra high bandwidth and ultra low latency to find a VHS for a night with friends... it won't make the memories better.