THE (GOOD) NEWSLETTER FOR JUNE 2010
Our big news this month is due to the fact that our application to the Bendigo Community Bank (Maldon Branch) for a grant of $4,000 has been successful.
Our local bank serves our community in many generous ways and we thank them very, very much.
The grant is for a specific purpose, that is for the purchase of Large Print Books and to replace our now obsolete “talking books” cassettes with CDs.
Our ageing population makes the expensive large print publications an extremely popular part of our library and we are sure our readers will appreciate the purchase.
Watch this space for details!
NEWSLETTER FOR MAY 2010
The Special Power of Local Libraries
Whilst the wonders of the computer age are with us and appreciated by most, we felt a statement about the power of community through libraries wouldn't go amiss. We mean, of course, reading REAL books; the distinctive aroma of the printed page, the feel, the aesthetic appeal, the excitement and anticipation a new, or old edition can invoke.
But it's far more. The Athenaeum Library in Maldon, for example, with its fundamental raison d'etre of providing a service to its community, is just as importantly a meeting place for the exchange of local news, perhaps discussion on the merits or otherwise of a particular edition, experiencing the delight of a small child when permitted to select a sweet from the well supplied lolly jar on the reading room desk. (We genuinely believe that a little person will take into adulthood the happiest of memories from their visit to the Junior Library and the delight in selecting a book (or six). Will a child's recollections of their Playstation or similar fill him or her with the same nostalgic memories? Almost certainly not.
Can this type of interaction be replaced by a digital tablet one wonders? Will a Kindle be available for a $10 per annum fee that is affordable for everyone? Will up-loading a book from the internet have the same satisfaction and interaction that a Library such as ours provides? Almost certainly not.
We are completely realistic about the digital age and are in no way ignorant of its advantages but there remains a doubt about some of its functions. Are we in danger of becoming so insular that interacting with our community may become unimportant?
For those with young children, give a thought to what we can represent to your child, completely free other than the time you must give as a parent. For adults, leave your Blackberry in your briefcase, close the lid on your laptop, press the turnoff button on your mobile phone. We offer you time to relax and contemplate life and living through the wonderful power of selecting print on paper from shelves that have been fashioned by craftspeople and contribute to constancy, not ever changing apps!
Finally, the group photo below demonstrates the warmth and humanity that comes from a caring community of volunteers. Taken a couple of weeks ago to represent every faction in our small village, it says it all.
Photograph by Rob Leeson
NEWSLETTER FOR APRIL 2010
Our famous Easter Book Sale on Easter Saturday and Monday was an enormous success. Two of our Executive Committee (Marni and Lesley) are tireless in organizing this event twice a year (the November Folk Festival is the other occasion) and we are most grateful for the continuation of their energetic efforts. The funds will be well spent, largely on further books for our groaning shelves!
The annual Maldon Easter Monday Parade was enjoyed in beautiful sunny but cool autumn weather. The Athenaeum had a rest this year but no doubt will be an entry in next year’s Parade.
It is considered that the advent of Kindle etc will not be a technology to worry us, at least in the foreseeable future. On one afternoon recently we had 25 borrowers to service – taking into account that most of our readers take up to six books, the bar code reader fairly steamed! Our audio books (cassette tapes) will, of course, need replacement and this is currently being carried out.
As far as technology goes, the computerization of our Library system is now “old hat” and we are pleased to report that the business of scanning bar codes is no problem to any of our volunteers.
Whilst enjoying our history, we definitely do not live in the past.
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If anyone has any queries regarding the Maldon Athenaeum Library, don’t forget, we have an email address: maldonlibrary@iprimus.com.au.
Should there be any questions on the Maldon Athenaeum Library, please do not hesitate to write to us at:
P.O. Box 219
MALDON
