Volume 39 Nº 2: July 2003

Editorial

Editor: Margaret Steinberger

Having dinner with some friends and former colleagues last week, I was intrigued to hear about the teenage son of one of them. In earlier years this boy had been a concern to my friend, as he seemed to be an extremely reluctant reader. But over time and with gentle persistence from family and school, the youngster had encountered a series of fiction books, ones which are rarely out of the news at present. Through them he had come to love reading; more importantly, the love was not just for these particular books, but for all books. 'Would you believe it', my friend said, 'last holidays we came home broke, because we took too few books away with us and he pestered us constantly - our first duty when we drove into a new town was to find a bookshop and buy books.'

What a feel-good story that is for those of us deeply involved in books and libraries. It is, of course, by no means an isolated example, but it's always good to be reminded anew of the power of reading to change lives.

This issue of Orana puts the spotlight on libraries and readers, in Australia and overseas. In 'Storytellers' journeys', we learn of a program where members of the children's services staff at a Sydney public library developed and refined their storytelling skills, with a highly experienced storyteller as mentor. The directness of expression and refreshing honesty of those undertaking the program make this article a valuable learning experience for us all.

I was fascinated to read of Daina Pakalna's research into memories of childhood library visits and membership. The study is based in Latvia, with respondents of different nationalities writing in Latvian, English and Russian, yet while details may differ, experiences seem very similar. Australian teacher-librarian, Sarah Cooper, gives readers an intimate glimpse into her relationship with libraries as a child in this country.

Two authors for young people share with Orana readers aspects of their reading journeys. In 'Being a bookworm in mid-century queensland', Jane Hyde gives us an insight into the books and reading experiences that shaped her early life. Edel Wignell takes a light-hearted look at some of the spin-offs of reading and researching in libraries.

There are tributes to two well-known figures in libraries and reading for young people in Australia and our correspondents in Canada and the United States continue to keep us up-to-date with developments in the school and public library world in those countries.

The news section alerts readers to a Sydney-based exhibition of illustrations from Australian children's books which will run for several months, and the IBBY congress in Africa in 2004. Our reviewers from New Zealand and across Australia share their informed assessment of professional reading. Once again, it's an enticing mix of articles, information and opinion, which I trust you will enjoy.

Margaret Steinberger