Exercise 9 Community Profiles

My local library is the Paddington Library which occupies a ground floor area of the Paddington Town Hall.

Now.  The library is administered by Woollahra Council and is a sub branch of a network of libraries scattered around the eastern suburbs. Here's a link to the council and the library


http://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/library/library_locations/paddington_library

(Confusingly,  the City of Sydney Council also lays claim over Paddington Library but it's easier to pretend that this isn't so. To all intents and purposes the library is run by Woollahra Council)

Look at this photo!

You'd never guess that there is a library inside...it's because the building is heritage-listed and nothing from the 20th or 21st century must detract from its Victorian splendour.

Any examination of the community profile should take note that Paddington-Woollahra area is a so-called prestige suburb; in other words the houses are very expensive.  Just last week it was announced that Toni Collette has bought into the street next to mine. Two terraces (recently renovated) joined together as one.  Poor Toni shelled out $6 million for this ppty.  So no doubt she will be forced to do another series of the "United States of Tara" in order to pay the mortgage.  

(Er...just in case anyone gets the wrong idea...I rent my place...half of a terrace)

The Paddington Library's most avid customers belong to two main groups: the very young and seniors.  I've always had the feeling that most residents in Paddington would rather buy a book than borrow one.  

But maybe I'll bump into Toni in the library one day!!

Exercise 8 Current Awareness Post

I suppose this is impressive in a Blade Runneresque way.  Perhaps it's the only way.

We already have robots in hospital operating theatres so why not use them in libraries.

Of course it's just a rumour that machines are making people redundant.

Excercise 7 podcasts

I figured that the National Library Australia would employ the most up-to-date technology in the way of podcasts...all the bells and whistles.  The library duly obliged with a plethora of podcasts. The NLA site is so easy to navigate.

I found this speech by the esteemed Australian author: Robert Dessaix.  Now I don't care for the work of this writer.  I bought two of his books (on special at Dymocks for $5.00 about a decade ago) and couldn't finish reading both of 'em. But he's a very "in" member of the arts establishment. 

Someone mighty enjoy listening to the thoughts of this author. But not me!

http://www.nla.gov.au/podcasts/media/Aust-Book-Review-50th-Birthday-Lecture.mp3

Exercise 6 Social bookmarking

Well yes, I read the two reviews of Born or Bred? etc on the State Library of Tasmania website.  And I dutifully browsed the reader review section of the Clarence Regional Library.

I don't know if we want to encourage this form of critique.  Personally, I am not interested in it.  For one thing, I don't have the time.  I suppose there might be the odd shut-in, the convalescent, or prison inmate who is interested in perusing the opinions of the general public on literary matters.

I note that the Paddington Library website has no provision for the lodging of reader reviews.

Exercise 5 Social Networking

Exercise 4 Youtube I AM A CURIOUS HENNA

You know It's a funny old world when libraries start promoting tattooing.  Now, if I wanted to ink myself I'd hardly be likely to race down to Paddington Library for some expert guidance.

But I guess in Salem they are always looking for a gimmick. The library used to hold staged readings of "THE CRUCIBLE" (Mon to Fri over the last fifty years) until all the librarians were rounded up by local Tea Party fanatics.  The poor staff!  These admirable women were forced to recant that they had ever admired the late Arthur Miller, the late Sammy Davis jnr, and Gore Vidal. 

The Tea Party then forced the librarians to burn their "I am a friend of Library of Congress" membership cards, before being herded together and then individually dunked head first in the public drinking fountain, which is located to the far right of the library foyer.

It's a shame I can't locate the volume knob to hear what the woman in glasses is saying.  Er...but maybe that's good thing.

Exercise three: Photo sharing and Flickr

I found this fascinating old black and white photo on the Flickr site.  (It has been uploaded by that venerable institution, the Library of Congress)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/6312419672/

If you click on the above link you will see that the image was taken between 1910 and 1915, in East Prussia.  It shows some of the cast members of a Ballet Russe touring production of "Daughter of the Regiment" being served afternoon tea by the friendly rail staff.

This snap recalls a wonderful train excursion I once took via Countrylink to Bathurst; the joys of the buffet car...the world class cafe au lait and scones. NSW Railways at the top of its game.