'The Librarians'
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Wednesday sure rolls around fast.. tonight’s ep is all about the official opening of the swish new Middleton Interactive Learning Centre. Finally we get to find out what the culture pod is all about (although possibly not from Frances).

Here’s a question for you: would Frances, that self-proclaimed arbiter of all things library, ever be persuaded to join ALIA? Well, if anyone can do it, Sue Hutley can.

http://gallery.me.com/waynehope/100228
(Username: gristmill Password: Librarians)

Ah, the crank calls  in Ep2 this week took me back to my baby librarian days. In my very first job, my direct line was one digit off the Federal Police drugs dob-in line. It made life interesting for the young thing I once was…

Now where were we? OK, so this week the show has taken a turn that rivals Bold & Beautiful in complexity it would seem. The Middleton Interactive staff are frankly looking like some of the typically pressured parents I’ve met and Frances’ paper bag gets more relevant every day. (I’m still relating strongly to the IT issue by the way, given we’re in transfer mode at work at the moment and for a while this morning I thought we’d have to buy in some pigeons and vellum to get anything done.)

And then there’s Vince. Mr Colosimo as library association (my lack of caps) ‘big wig’? I dunno, does it work for you?

This week’s episode got me thinking about librarians and food - which will come as no surprise to those that know me, since it’s hardly the first time I’ve been caught thinking about this topic - I am fondly proud of a sector that can boast such fabulous foodies as Stephanie Alexander and Gay Bilson (she of the edible tablecloth made of tripe for a gastronomy symposium)  and Stephanie Alexander (who else but a school librarian could conceive of the indispensable Cook’s Companion?) as one-time practitioners.  Then there was the Vatican librarian back in 1500-something who was responsible for the first cookbook to be printed simultaneously in three different languages.. is this the thread of history that has led to the tradition of ALIA members gathering in Italian restaurants? The ritual of gathering to share stories isn’t so different from the ritual of gathering to share food. Both would seem to be about sharing companionship and knowledge … hmmm.  Sate, anyone?

Writers Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope have addressed our most serious concerns about stereotypes via an ALIA thank you on YouTube. Check it out -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYwkgsWo8LU

Thank you to Robyn and Wayne for this very personal and thoughtful thank you to our profession.

We welcome your comments on the image of library workers as portrayed in this show.