Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The library as a sanctuary for the Lost (or, "Visiting Melbourne: Guest of State Library of Victoria)

As with all my first-time one-person visits to a new country/ city, I was a stranger in a strange city.

It's winter here, in Melbourne.

I was cold. A little hungry. Feeling very alone.

No matter how many countries I've been too, how many working trips I've been sent, I feel anxious in a totally new place.

It's thanks to the State Library of Victoria that my colleague and I are here. To share NLB's perspective and experience at their strategic retreat they have organised for Victorian public library managers and senior State Library staff.
Public Libraries Victoria - Victorian Library Managers Retreat

But my gratitude is dulled by my own lack of sophistication in coping in a new city. My anxiety was compounded by not knowing where and when I would be meeting my colleague, as well as the specifics of the next few days itinerary (some people are perfectly comfortable with uncertainty; I'm not one of those persons).

After I settled into my hotel room, I took a 15 minute walk to the State Library (their equivalent of a National Library, if Melbourne was an independent city-state like Singapore).

"Very stately," was my visceral thought.
State Library of Victoria, Jul 2010

State Library of Victoria, Jul 2010

There were young people lying on the grass like it was a warm summer day and not the cold blustery windy day that it was.
State Library of Victoria, Jul 2010

Stepping into the library dispelled all the uncertainties I've felt so far, in Melbourne. I knew enough of libraries to know I wouldn't be stopped.

I was perfectly anonymous.

After a few minutes inside, it quickly dawned on me that the library was like a place of worship. It was comforting and familiar; a sanctuary for those who feel lost in a new place.

Lest you misunderstand that the State Library of Victoria was some dark, musty and unused building, it's pretty "happening". I saw a lot of young people there. Reminded me of how our own National Library is popular with the trendy youngsters.

State Library of Victoria, Jul 2010

Right at the entrance was an arrangement of books on shelf. Says "bookstore" (so simple and cool).

Went further in and up, till I reached a large expansive room that had the musty smell of books.
State Library of Victoria, Jul 2010

State Library of Victoria, Jul 2010

It wasn't an unpleasant smell. In fact, I immediately thought the familiar bookish library smell was a contrast to the smart and swanky entrance and other sections.

State Library of Victoria, Jul 2010 State Library of Victoria, Jul 2010

I asked a librarian if I could take photographs. She said as long as I didn't intrude on others by taking their pictures. I smiled and said they have a liberal policy (for a National/ State library).

I liked that, as in the library should be encouraging people to promote it via online sharing.

Here's a room that was dedicated to a Chess collection. Some people were engaged in chess games. The room also doubled up as a quiet-reading area.
State Library of Victoria, Jul 2010

On my way out, I noticed a section called Experimedia.
State Library of Victoria, Jul 2010

Peering inside, it was clear young people were openly playing digital Wii and Xbox games.
State Library of Victoria, Jul 2010

State Library of Victoria, Jul 2010

State Library of Victoria, Jul 2010

Overall impressions
There was a feeling that this was a very well used, and stately, academic library. And somehow there's a welcoming feeling.

A large part has to do with the decor, I'm sure. Or maybe it's the way the staff are around, and yet not specifically looking at you (giving you the impression that you're being watched).

I've visited libraries of similar size, design and style. Older buildings tend to give me the cold and impersonal feeling. But definitely not the State Library of Victoria.

I'm sitting in the Experimedia room, on a comfortable seat, putting down my thoughts on my Nokia E71.

The combination of my earlier anxieties and the comfort of this library has made me experience the library in a totally different way. The key word was "experience"; not "use". I could imagine how a new immigrant might feel. Or an out-of-state citizen moving into a new place, alone.

I'm still a stranger in this new city.

But for now, in the library, I'm feeling perfectly at home.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Art practice: "Blue Skies, Green Hills"

On a Sunday afternoon back in March, my wife cajoled me into painting an acrylic piece. I said 'cajoled' because I was a bit lazy to pick up the paint brush... but she prepared all the paints and palette so I had no excuse.

She practiced on her own piece, and I did mine. For reference, we used one of the paintings featured in the book “Art school: A complete painters course” by Patricia Monahan, Patricia Seligman, and Wendy Clouse.
Art School: A Complete Painter's Course
NLBsearchplus | ISBN: 9780600614135

Art practice: "Blue Sky, Green Fields"

This was her paint palette (she bought a "stay wet" palette).
Art practice: "Blue Sky, Green Fields"

I started my piece by sketching the outlines of the hills, in pencil.
Art practice: "Blue Sky, Green Fields" (1 of 7)

The fun part starts: I applied a mix of blue and white to the sky.
Art practice: "Blue Sky, Green Fields" (2 of 7)

Then started on the green hills, working towards darker colours (in Acrylics, you work from dark to light -- but I'm never one to follow the rules strictly):
Art practice: "Blue Sky, Green Fields" (3 of 7)

Art practice: "Blue Sky, Green Fields" (4 of 7)

Art practice: "Blue Sky, Green Fields" (5 of 7)

When the painting was almost complete, I decided the sky needed a touch of gray and some reflection of the green. If not, the sky was a bit too plain looking.
Art practice: "Blue Sky, Green Fields" (6 of 7)

The completed painting. Took about 2 hours, slightly less.
Art practice: "Blue Sky, Green Fields" (7 of 7)

There are several DVDs and books, on "How To Paint", from the Public Libraries. They come with step-by-step illustrations. Check out the "Arts and Recreation" section.

[Also blogged at MyRightBrain.wordpress.com]

Sunday, July 04, 2010

Disability Sports Showcase at the Public Libraries, 3 Jul 2010

Overheard: "Daddy, daddy, these are sports played by the disabled!"

More like the 'Abled', I wanted to tell her.
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

Yesterday, on 3 Jul 2010, the Public Libraries held a Disability Sports Showcase at Woodlands Regional Library.
Public Libraries Disability 
Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

The event, organised by my Public Libraries colleagues, was in partnership with by Special Olympics Singapore and Handicaps Welfare Association and a few other sponsors
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

From the NLB Press Release, 3 Jul 2010:
Besides enabling library users to browse the wide collection of resources on topics related to disability and sports, the event also provided a platform for the participants to engage in disability sports demonstrations of bocce, floor hockey and other sports competed at the Special Olympics.

A sharing session at the Disability Sports Showcase was held with athletes from Special Olympics Singapore, their family members and Ms Hanako Sawayama, an athlete with the Special Olympics for 17 years. Together, they shared their experiences on disability sports as well as the positive impact of reading on their lives. Ms Sawayama is also a Special Olympics' International Global Messenger who travels the world to speak about the Games.

In the auditorium, the library's Junior Reading Ambassadors performing a skit, adapted from Robin Pulver's book, "Way to go, Alex!":
Way to Go, Alex! (Concept Books (Albert Whitman))
NLBsearchplus

Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010


There was also a prize-giving ceremony for the winners of the Design-A-Card Game contest (details of this card game is in the later part of this post):
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010


SPECIAL OLYMPICS SPORTS SHOWCASE
This was the highlight of the day; the reason why the event was organised. One of the main aim was to educate the general public that people need not be excluded from sports because of their disabilities

The game of Floor Hockey was one of the Special Olympics sport being exhibited:
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

This was Bocce:
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

This was a demonstration of a Badminton training exercise, to develop the player's footwork and psycho-motor skills.
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

The Special Olympics trainer explained that their Intellectually Disabled players also had some degrees of psycho-motor skills limitations, which meant that modified training techniques had to be developed.  Trainees were assessed with a 'Skills-rating sheet'. The assessment sheet also served as a way to mark the trainee's progress.
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010


MOTOR ACTIVITIES TRAINING PROGRAMME
Sports is also about training and preparation:
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

Here are some kids with one of their arms tied to their body, to simulate restricted movements that a person with disability might experience:
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010


OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES
The event also featured the forty winning entries from the Stories Next Door competition. You can read all the entries at Blogs.nlb.gov.sg/YO. The idea behind the competition was to focus on the "man in the street" who has either demonstrated or seen to promote the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.

Public Libraries Disability 
Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability 
Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability 
Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010


JUST SHARE PHOTO CONTEST
A related contest was the "Just Share" photo submission. The entries (which you can view at www.pl.sg) reflected stories and photographs by 'ordinary people' and everyday scenes that portray the Olympic values.
Public Libraries Disability 
Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010
Public Libraries Disability 
Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010


DESIGN A CARD-GAME
Public Libraries Disability 
Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

There was an exhibition on the winning entries of the Design a Card Game competition was held. There were twenty entries from teen (secondary school students). The main intent in producing the card game was to raise awareness on sports in a fun and engaging manner.

Public Libraries Disability 
Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

The Guest-of-Honour being brought around to see how the card game was played.
Public Libraries Disability 
Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

Very simple rules: basically you win when you match all the cards in the deck.
Public Libraries Disability 
Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

The learning element is that each card has a piece of sports trivia, extracted from a print or digital resource. The students contributed the graphic design, and also the sports trivia.
Public Libraries Disability 
Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

The winners also received a commemorative printout of the cards that they helped designed.
Public Libraries 
Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010


QUIZ & GOODIE-BAGS
To add a little fun element and to get participants to move around the exhibits, my colleagues designed a simple quiz form.
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

Complete the quiz and redeem your prize.
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010


PUBLIC EDUCATION: PROMOTING A KNOWLEDGEABLE & ENGAGED SOCIETY
Looking at some of the messages posted on the board, it's quite clear to me the Public Libraries met one of the main aims of the event.
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010

Incidentally, this was the third Disability Signature event organised by the Public Libraries. The first signature event was in 2008 (the Amazing Wheelchair Challenge) and the second was last year's Deaf Culture Seminar.

As part of the Sports@Public Libraries initiative, a series of activities will be organised till August 2010 for the public to learn more about various sports featured under the Youth Olympic Games and to inculcate sporting values.
Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010 Public Libraries Disability Sports Showcase, 3 Jul 2010