Library Lovers and e-democracy

The Library celebrated Library Lover’s Day on 13th - 14th February. This is when we celebrate the great resources provided by all kinds of libraries around Australia. In Gilgandra, the library offered borrowers the opportunity to take a “blind date with a book”. “Blind date with a book” means that a selection of books are wrapped in plain brown paper, with a personal advertisement attached to the front, giving prospective borrowers a hint of what the book is about.
For example: “Warrior-turned monk seeks history buff interested in the daily life of a 12-century monastery – which can be far from peaceful, full of mayhem and murder! May lead to further dates, as there are sequels!” Can you guess which novel this is? If so, post your guess as a comment below or call in to the library to see if you are right!

There is an interesting new program on Radio National called Future Tense, presented by Antony Funnell. Recently, he mentioned some useful websites. Open Australia is a search tool by which you can find what any Federal politicians have been saying lately on a particular issue, or what a particular politician has been saying recently. This information is already available on the web, but is not always so easily found. You can even request an update email whenever your chosen politician has spoken in parliament, or whenever a particular issue has been mentioned in parliament.
Another interesting website discussed on Future Tense was Democracy for sale . This site takes information about political donations and then categorises it so that you can very easily see which industries and organisations are donating to which political parties. This information is already publicly available from sites such as the Australian Electoral Commission, but Democracy for sale presents it in a more accessible manner.
To see the transcript of this edition of “Future Tense” or listen to the program, visit the website and click on the program “e-Australia”.

Two special "Days" this week!

Tuesday 10th February is Safer Internet Day, a day when the whole world looks at the issue of making the internet safer for children and young people. In 2008 over 120 organisations in 56 countries took part in Safer Internet Day celebrations, organising local, national and international events ranging from safety sessions in schools and competitions for young people to public meetings and conferences.

In 2009, the event will concentrate on two themes: social networking and cyberbullying. The Australian Communications and Media Authority has organised a number of events, including the NSW launch of Cybersmart Detectives. Cybersmart Detectives is an innovative online game that teaches children key internet safety messages in a safe environment. It is run as a school activity for upper primary students, and schools can register to participate at http://cybersmart.engagelive.net/default.aspx#register.
The Cybersmart site has a downloadable pdf of cyber rules, which give some very practical guidelines for kids on what to do (and what not to do!) online to be safe: http://www.cybersmartkids.com.au/docs/cyberrules.pdf. Or call in to the Library any day this week to pick up a free laminated copy of these rules. Stick it on the wall next to your computer, and use it to start a conversation with your kids about how to be safe online. The Library also has some copies of booklet called “Cybersmart guide for families” to give away, or you can download it at http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311009.

And finally, this week the Library will be celebrating Library Lover’s Day. On Friday 13th February we will have our urn on all day, so we invite you to come on in, escape the heat, have a cuppa, and find something good to read!