Yesterday I spoke at a forum for TAFE library folks, the annual LRSN forum. Thanks, Maeve, for the link. (I have no idea what LRSN stands for, but it doesn’t really matter here, I don’t think.)
Because I was somewhat anxious - my talk was the first plenary session (if I’d known that was what was intended I might have declined to speak!) - I didn’t pay much attention to the programme until I was at the event and it was far too late to start panicking. I learned a lot about what TAFE library folks are doing and thinking about - and enjoyed chatting to people. It was good to catch up with Kathryn, too. She also gave a presentation - a great, dynamic talk entitled Five Social Software Sites that Libraries Shouldn’t Ignore (I loved the monkeys! Take a look at the slides to see what I mean).
My talk was entitled Library Services 2.0. I haven’t decided whether I want to put it up yet (although it’s possibly up on the TAFE intranet). It’s very rough (what happens when you procrastinate and take too long to ponder) and I keep thinking I ought to refine it some more and elaborate bits.
Published on 28 November 2007
in politics.
Yonks and yonks and yonks ago, the Gypsy Librarian asked me about compulsory voting* in Australia and what I thought about it. I think it’s a good thing, and prepared to blog my response. I researched the topic, read stuff about it, thought about it, made copious notes, and then lost all impetus to write about it.
What I should have done was just sit down and write the reasons compulsory voting is A Good Thing. Justine Larbalestier has, and I couldn’t have said it better if I’d tried.
I like our system. I feel really proud to be a citizen of this country on election day. Turn up at a polling place and everyone is waiting quietly and patiently to cast their vote. No dramas, no threats. Oh, and while it means nothing at all, I like refusing the How To Vote cards, politely, of course, from the volunteers from particular parties. (Yes I’m petty.)
*Technically, it’s not compulsory voting, in the sense that no one actually compels you to vote. What’s compulsory is attendance at a polling place; if you don’t turn up, you’re fined.
Woke this morning with the lines from Jabberwocky in my mind. Specifically:
“And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”
He chortled in his joy.
Says it all, really. (Amusingly, it seems that John Quiggin had a similar reaction.)
I’m pleased but unsure what direction the new government will take next - there’s been too much me-tooism for my liking. Over the campaign (and before that) I found myself wishing they would stop echoing the Libs. I do hope this new government will be more compassionate. And I agree with Kathryn, we need to focus on conservation and sustainability, economic growth alone is not the answer.
To celebrate I even broke my daily limit of one-per-day alcohol consumption and had TWO beers. I think I needed the cold fizziness to wash down the huge amounts of vege chips, sunflower seeds and melon seeds I consumed while watching the tally on Aunty. What was with the continual ruckus from that stupid audience, though? I kept expecting Kerry O’Brien to stand up, turn around, and yell “SHUT UP!!!” I wish someone did!
