Okay, so there's a new year coming. I've never been one for new year's resolutions, but it doesn't matter, because I don't need any. I already have new things laid out in front of me, and that means narrowing things down.
Firstly, there'll be a noticeable change in focus for this blog. From tomorrow onward, there will be a distinct focus on school library issues. That includes:
- Middle Reader and Young Adult Literature
- Information Literacy for students
- Usage of online resources in school libraries
- Reader development program delivery in school libraries
- Marketing reading and library services in schools
- Providing professional development for teachers, as the school librarian, particularly in areas such as information literacy and emerging technology
- Forming partnerships with teaching staff in developing coursework that incorporates library services and embeds best practice in research skills
- Introducing emerging online technology into school libraries.
In some ways, it'll still be the same blog, but you probably won't hear much more about public libraries, unless it's in the context of partnerships between public libraries and schools in their communities. Exciting times await.
Until then, I wish you a very enjoyable remainder of 2009, and I'll see you in the new year. Hope it's a happy one. :)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
My favourite reads for 2009
Okay, it's the end of the year, which means that everybody's posting their best-of / worst-of lists in their blogs. In my last post, I indicated some of my favourite reads over the year, but I thought I'd elaborate further, add a few extras... and give a bit of context to the circumstances in which I was reading, which generally adds to the reading experience. Note that these aren't necessarily the "best" reads for 2009, but they have certainly been the most enjoyable for me.
So, without further ado... and in no particular order - my five favourite reads of 2009.
Jarvis 24 - David Metzenthen
This book had been hovering in my periphery early this year, but not really brought to my attention until it appeared on the Inkys Longlist (and, later, the Shortlist). By an amusing coincidence, I started reading it just after I started working regularly at Hawthorn Library, which involved walking down Glenferrie Road, past the local MLC girls flirting with the Xavier boys, and getting regular coffees at Mario's. This enhanced the already-strong sense of place, in the heart of Melbourne's leafy eastern suburbs, and I could see Metzenthen's characters in those around me in my day-to-day life. Plus, it's such an honestly touching read, encapsulating an episode in a teenage boy's life, and the lessons he learns about the world.
Pink - Lili Wilkinson
Just as Simmone Howell did with Notes from the Teenage Underground, this novel took me back to my teenage years in Melbourne. As a high school music & theatre nerd, there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments which were sometimes uncomfortably close to home, and stirred up more than a few fond memories of midnight sessions at the Valhalla Cinema.
Look Who's Morphing - Tom Cho
Over the last couple of months, I've, on several occasions, had the "Oh, so you've read Tom Cho's book. What did you think of it?" conversation with literary types, as though my very answer would define my future social status in literary circles. I read much of this book whilst travelling through Vanuatu, and I must admit that it added an extra dimension to the slightly-surreal nature of overseas travel. Having grown up through the 80s, I found Look Who's Morphing to be an indulgent romp through my formative pop culture, whilst cleverly subverting it to provide commentary on how we define ourselves through these tropes. As a indulgent-yet-sneakily-profound read, I just love pulling it off my shelf to read passages to visiting friends.
Thinner than Water - Justine Larbalestier (from "Love is Hell")
This was a pleasant surprise for me. I've been a fan of Justine's work for a couple of years now, and this was the first short fiction work of hers that I've read. You can find an excerpt of it here. Following an anglo-celtic tradition in rural fantasy, this story is rich in its language, and sublime in its tragedy.
Hate that cat - Sharon Creech
If you haven't read Love that dog, then go find a copy and read it. Then you'll know exactly why you'll want to read Hate that cat. And it doesn't disappoint. Equally as effective and touching as the first, and cheaper than a double-degree in American poetry and psychotherapy. Lie down on a couch, and read it to yourself out loud. Your neighbours / flatmates might think you're crazy, but it's a wonderful reading experience.
Okay, that'll do. It was hard enough narrowing it down to five.
So, without further ado... and in no particular order - my five favourite reads of 2009.
Jarvis 24 - David Metzenthen
This book had been hovering in my periphery early this year, but not really brought to my attention until it appeared on the Inkys Longlist (and, later, the Shortlist). By an amusing coincidence, I started reading it just after I started working regularly at Hawthorn Library, which involved walking down Glenferrie Road, past the local MLC girls flirting with the Xavier boys, and getting regular coffees at Mario's. This enhanced the already-strong sense of place, in the heart of Melbourne's leafy eastern suburbs, and I could see Metzenthen's characters in those around me in my day-to-day life. Plus, it's such an honestly touching read, encapsulating an episode in a teenage boy's life, and the lessons he learns about the world.
Pink - Lili Wilkinson
Just as Simmone Howell did with Notes from the Teenage Underground, this novel took me back to my teenage years in Melbourne. As a high school music & theatre nerd, there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments which were sometimes uncomfortably close to home, and stirred up more than a few fond memories of midnight sessions at the Valhalla Cinema.
Look Who's Morphing - Tom Cho
Over the last couple of months, I've, on several occasions, had the "Oh, so you've read Tom Cho's book. What did you think of it?" conversation with literary types, as though my very answer would define my future social status in literary circles. I read much of this book whilst travelling through Vanuatu, and I must admit that it added an extra dimension to the slightly-surreal nature of overseas travel. Having grown up through the 80s, I found Look Who's Morphing to be an indulgent romp through my formative pop culture, whilst cleverly subverting it to provide commentary on how we define ourselves through these tropes. As a indulgent-yet-sneakily-profound read, I just love pulling it off my shelf to read passages to visiting friends.
Thinner than Water - Justine Larbalestier (from "Love is Hell")
This was a pleasant surprise for me. I've been a fan of Justine's work for a couple of years now, and this was the first short fiction work of hers that I've read. You can find an excerpt of it here. Following an anglo-celtic tradition in rural fantasy, this story is rich in its language, and sublime in its tragedy.
Hate that cat - Sharon Creech
If you haven't read Love that dog, then go find a copy and read it. Then you'll know exactly why you'll want to read Hate that cat. And it doesn't disappoint. Equally as effective and touching as the first, and cheaper than a double-degree in American poetry and psychotherapy. Lie down on a couch, and read it to yourself out loud. Your neighbours / flatmates might think you're crazy, but it's a wonderful reading experience.
Okay, that'll do. It was hard enough narrowing it down to five.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
2009 - the year that was...
Looking back on 2009, I've blogged about half as much as I have the previous two years. Which isn't hugely surprising, as this year marked my return to Melboure, after two and a half years living in Darwin. In retrospect:
January: Watched rain fall. Worked on my paper for Somerset on how I've made librarianship "work" for me, and wonder if I've been fooling myself. Favourite read: On the Jellicoe Road - Melina Marchetta
February: Had an amazing weekend in Melbourne. Spent time socialising (with librarians), brunching and dancing, then attended a bookgig with Simmone Howell and Justine Larbalestier. Three days later, after returning to Darwin, and spending a morning trying to get to work via unreliable buses and being stranded in monsoon showers, my brain finally broke and I made the decision to move back to Melbourne. Favourite read: Love is Hell - Marr/Westerfeld/Larbalestier/Zevin/Stolarz
March: Packed up my few belongings, and finished up at the Northern Territory Library. Spent a week at the Somerset Celebration of Literature, where I presented my first conference paper, performed in front of a crowd of C&YA writers and publishers, and met and hung out with a bunch of awesome people. Moved to Melbourne, comforted by the knowledge that I'd probably see many of these people around the place a bit more. Favourite read: Unwind - Neal Shusterman (the best YA book that totally slipped under the radar in Australia this year)
April: Started a new life, and new career in Melbourne, working on a Reader Development project at the State Library of Melbourne. Spending time around the Centre for Youth Literature certainly inflamed my love for YA literature, and confirmed what I already knew - that I needed to move into youth librarianship. Also started working rostered weekends as a casual librarian at the City of Boroondara Library Service. Favourite read: Liar - Justine Larbalestier
May: Continued working at SLV, although my work there was coming to completion. Hung around and helped out at the Reading Matters conference, and met some of the world's best (and nicest) contemporary YA writers. Favourite read: The London Eye Mystery - Siobhan Dowd
June: My project work at SLV was over, and with a heap of spare time on my hands, I decided to escape from Melbourne's winter chill, and went to Vanuatu. I visited my "cousin" (and fellow librarian) Romany, who was working as an AYAD volunteer in a remote school library. Favourite read: Look Who's Morphing - Tom Cho
July: In the bleak midwinter... I wasn't so much unemployed, but rather "time-rich". Whilst I kept an eye out for a dream job, nothing much was catching my attention, and I was determine to hold out for something that I could happily stay in for at least a few years. Instead, I spent this month writing and performing a new show at the Butterfly Club. I also volunteered at the Melbourne International Film Festival, and saw many awesome (and some not-so-awesome) fillums. Favourite read: The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
August: The first week was engulfed with MIFF, and then after some much-needed detoxing and sleeping, I returned to SLV to help facilitate the launch of the Inky Awards, and chair a number of panel sessions at the Melbourne Writer's Festival. Finally, I capped off the month with a visit to Darwin at the peak of the dry season, and remind myself that there were still many awesome things about living in Darwin. Favourite read: If I Stay - Gayle Forman
September: With my birthday marking my official existence as a Thirty-something, and my savings starting to dwindle, I started some more serious job-searching-and-applying, although I still listened to my instincts. Fortunately, a temporary opportunity arose to work full-time at the City of Boroondara Library Service, offsetting my impending need to commit to a permanent job. Favourite read: Jarvis 24 - David Metzenthen
October: I've been a librarian for three years now. Disillusionment starts setting in. I question a lot of things, like whether anything of this library stuff really matters, or makes a difference, and whether I'm really ever going to find a job that will engage and fulfil me and my community in the way that I want it to. Favourite read: The Devil's Lexicon - Sara Rees Brennan
November: My full-time work at Boroondara finishes up, and I focus my efforts on polishing up a piece that I've written for the Short + Sweet Cabaret Festival. And although I didn't make the finals, I met quite a few awesome people, and there's always a thrill from getting praise from complete strangers. I get a few job interviews, but no job. Oh, and we get an eviction notice from our landlord. But in spite of all this, life doesn't feel so bad. Especially when the Inky Awards are announced, and we're all reminded about how awesome the world is. Favourite read: Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
December: Everything changes. I find a new house to move into, and on the day I move, I have a job interview for a position managing a school library, only 15 minutes away from my new house. I get the job. Days later, I have an interview for admission for the Professional Writing & Editing course at RMIT. I get accepted. I visit Sydney and perform at the Annual Cabaret Showcase. Trevor Ashley sees my performance and invites me to perform at Showqueen some time next year. Next year is going to bring its own share of challenges, but I'm ready to take them on, because it's going to be awesome. Favourite read: Things we didn't see coming - Steven Amsterdam
Bring on 2010!
January: Watched rain fall. Worked on my paper for Somerset on how I've made librarianship "work" for me, and wonder if I've been fooling myself. Favourite read: On the Jellicoe Road - Melina Marchetta
February: Had an amazing weekend in Melbourne. Spent time socialising (with librarians), brunching and dancing, then attended a bookgig with Simmone Howell and Justine Larbalestier. Three days later, after returning to Darwin, and spending a morning trying to get to work via unreliable buses and being stranded in monsoon showers, my brain finally broke and I made the decision to move back to Melbourne. Favourite read: Love is Hell - Marr/Westerfeld/Larbalestier/Zevin/Stolarz
March: Packed up my few belongings, and finished up at the Northern Territory Library. Spent a week at the Somerset Celebration of Literature, where I presented my first conference paper, performed in front of a crowd of C&YA writers and publishers, and met and hung out with a bunch of awesome people. Moved to Melbourne, comforted by the knowledge that I'd probably see many of these people around the place a bit more. Favourite read: Unwind - Neal Shusterman (the best YA book that totally slipped under the radar in Australia this year)
April: Started a new life, and new career in Melbourne, working on a Reader Development project at the State Library of Melbourne. Spending time around the Centre for Youth Literature certainly inflamed my love for YA literature, and confirmed what I already knew - that I needed to move into youth librarianship. Also started working rostered weekends as a casual librarian at the City of Boroondara Library Service. Favourite read: Liar - Justine Larbalestier
May: Continued working at SLV, although my work there was coming to completion. Hung around and helped out at the Reading Matters conference, and met some of the world's best (and nicest) contemporary YA writers. Favourite read: The London Eye Mystery - Siobhan Dowd
June: My project work at SLV was over, and with a heap of spare time on my hands, I decided to escape from Melbourne's winter chill, and went to Vanuatu. I visited my "cousin" (and fellow librarian) Romany, who was working as an AYAD volunteer in a remote school library. Favourite read: Look Who's Morphing - Tom Cho
July: In the bleak midwinter... I wasn't so much unemployed, but rather "time-rich". Whilst I kept an eye out for a dream job, nothing much was catching my attention, and I was determine to hold out for something that I could happily stay in for at least a few years. Instead, I spent this month writing and performing a new show at the Butterfly Club. I also volunteered at the Melbourne International Film Festival, and saw many awesome (and some not-so-awesome) fillums. Favourite read: The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
August: The first week was engulfed with MIFF, and then after some much-needed detoxing and sleeping, I returned to SLV to help facilitate the launch of the Inky Awards, and chair a number of panel sessions at the Melbourne Writer's Festival. Finally, I capped off the month with a visit to Darwin at the peak of the dry season, and remind myself that there were still many awesome things about living in Darwin. Favourite read: If I Stay - Gayle Forman
September: With my birthday marking my official existence as a Thirty-something, and my savings starting to dwindle, I started some more serious job-searching-and-applying, although I still listened to my instincts. Fortunately, a temporary opportunity arose to work full-time at the City of Boroondara Library Service, offsetting my impending need to commit to a permanent job. Favourite read: Jarvis 24 - David Metzenthen
October: I've been a librarian for three years now. Disillusionment starts setting in. I question a lot of things, like whether anything of this library stuff really matters, or makes a difference, and whether I'm really ever going to find a job that will engage and fulfil me and my community in the way that I want it to. Favourite read: The Devil's Lexicon - Sara Rees Brennan
November: My full-time work at Boroondara finishes up, and I focus my efforts on polishing up a piece that I've written for the Short + Sweet Cabaret Festival. And although I didn't make the finals, I met quite a few awesome people, and there's always a thrill from getting praise from complete strangers. I get a few job interviews, but no job. Oh, and we get an eviction notice from our landlord. But in spite of all this, life doesn't feel so bad. Especially when the Inky Awards are announced, and we're all reminded about how awesome the world is. Favourite read: Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
December: Everything changes. I find a new house to move into, and on the day I move, I have a job interview for a position managing a school library, only 15 minutes away from my new house. I get the job. Days later, I have an interview for admission for the Professional Writing & Editing course at RMIT. I get accepted. I visit Sydney and perform at the Annual Cabaret Showcase. Trevor Ashley sees my performance and invites me to perform at Showqueen some time next year. Next year is going to bring its own share of challenges, but I'm ready to take them on, because it's going to be awesome. Favourite read: Things we didn't see coming - Steven Amsterdam
Bring on 2010!
Librarian lifestyles
At times, it's quite remarkable how librarianship has affected my lifestyle.
To demonstrate:
I'm currently in Adelaide, and instinctively went to the State Library of SA to check my email / social networks and update my blog.
I travelled here from Melbourne with a friend and fellow librarian, on a 3-day road trip along the coast.
Whilst visiting Mount Gambier, we spent at least an hour wandering around their brand new library, with many photos taken (and about 10 minutes spent at the Blue Lake).
On Monday, I ran into a local librarian who I'd met last year in Adelaide and later on at the New Librarians Symposium, and after a late lunch, got invited along to a dinner party.
At dinner, half of those present were librarians. And no, we didn't chat about libraries, cataloguing, or online resources. Much.
But you get the idea. It's so comforting to know that I've chosen a profession that transcends the normal boundaries of a 9-to-5 job. It opens up a social network of such a vibrant range of personalities - those passionate about culture, technology, literature, learning and community. And not just librarians - educators, writers, literary enthusiasts, and those working in community development.
And to think that I was once considering becoming an accountant.
To demonstrate:
I'm currently in Adelaide, and instinctively went to the State Library of SA to check my email / social networks and update my blog.
I travelled here from Melbourne with a friend and fellow librarian, on a 3-day road trip along the coast.
Whilst visiting Mount Gambier, we spent at least an hour wandering around their brand new library, with many photos taken (and about 10 minutes spent at the Blue Lake).
On Monday, I ran into a local librarian who I'd met last year in Adelaide and later on at the New Librarians Symposium, and after a late lunch, got invited along to a dinner party.
At dinner, half of those present were librarians. And no, we didn't chat about libraries, cataloguing, or online resources. Much.
But you get the idea. It's so comforting to know that I've chosen a profession that transcends the normal boundaries of a 9-to-5 job. It opens up a social network of such a vibrant range of personalities - those passionate about culture, technology, literature, learning and community. And not just librarians - educators, writers, literary enthusiasts, and those working in community development.
And to think that I was once considering becoming an accountant.
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