A story from West End Library

Two weeks ago, I went to West End Library for the sake of borrowing a non-fiction book titled “Comic Art Propaganda”. Instead, I left the library borrowing one extra item, Donald Duck comic (there is nothing wrong with it, right?).

At the check-out terminal, a librarian with a FastBack book smiled and greeted me.

‘Hi, how are you doing?’
‘(I’m) Good’
‘That’s good.’

Now, now, don’t conclude that it’s the end of the story. After I got my borrowed items receipt, I quickly moved aside to let a woman queueing behind me to check-out her items. The friendly librarian also greeted the lady. Either the woman started the conversation or the librarian vent about her work.

The librarian job for the day was to remove all FastBack stickers on the no-longer-FastBack books property of Brisbane City Council allocated for West End Library. An example of FastBack book is given below.

George Negus’ The World from Down Under

There were two stacks of FastBack items with at least 20 books in one stack. Seems easy? Well, for the librarian she must not destroy the plastic cover. No chemical solvents used to speed up her work. And as any librarian would have known, shelve the books back. Not forget to mention, there are three stickers in each FastBack item; in front, on the side and at the back. Enjoy your work!

Oh, remember, each city council libraries’ books are always updated and that means every time a new item comes, a FastBack sticker will usually be given depending on demand.

This is just another library story brought to you by myself. Self-conclusion depends on you as the reader.

Short Post (25/08/2010)

Hi everyone. I’m sorry for my inability to blog lately due to tight schedule and the fear of slower internet because of blogging at my place. I’m having WordPress Seminar later on today at Chermside Library from 7pm-8.30pm AEST.

My coming posts will focus on Ekka (I have to sideline my Surabaya trip for a while). Keep reading this blog anyway!

25th anniversary of Kobe-Brisbane sister city relationship

As a way to commemorate the 25th anniversary of sister city relationship between the city of Kobe in Japan and the city of Brisbane in Australia, Brisbane City Council’s Brisbane Square Library puts up a mini exhibition on the city of Kobe.

One area of the mini exhibition is dedicated on Kobe’s local products from sake to high-heeled shoes to even computer mouse. I believe all these products and some brochures are provided by Kobe City Council. All these local products are located at the Literature Lounge on the second level of Brisbane Square Library.

Kobe city shots in the form of A4-sized posters are also hung up on the wall in the non-fiction area.

At least it provides an alternative to patrons besides just viewing the Brisbane River.

Quite similar posters are also put up on the wall in the fiction area. However, one point of different is the posters size I believe is A3. Also, all these posters looked more like the posters you would usually see when you are visiting a travel agency.

All in all it was quite an educative exhibition, introducing Brisbane’s sister city to Brisbanites and visitors to Brisbane. I do hope when the anniversary of the sister city relationship between Brisbane and the city of Semarang in Central Java, Indonesia, they will put up a better mini exhibition.

If I didn’t read wrongly, this exhibition would end sometime next month. So, if you are in Brisbane don’t hesitate to visit Brisbane Square Library to see this exhibition. This is especially for those who have never been to Japan.

Plus, on the exhibition you could get a copy of Kobe city map and guide book in case you plan to visit Kobe. The guide book also includes Kobe city railway network which is easier to decipher (the map and networks) compared to Tokyo’s (I’ve never been to Japan but I’ve seen how complex the mass transport system in Tokyo is).

All rights reserved for pictures in this post (2010)

Garden City Library

Finally, my post on Garden City Library is up here.

Garden City Library is located inside Westfield Garden City shopping centre in the suburb of Upper Mount Gravatt (also known as Garden City). Since it is located inside a shopping centre (next to the library is Toys R’ Us store if I’m not mistaken), I wonder why shopping centre developers in Indonesia wouldn’t do the same thing?

Anyway, it should be either the second or third largest Brisbane City Council library that I have visited so far. It’s either this or Mount Ommaney Library.

What sets Garden City Library apart from most of the other suburban libraries are a customer service counter (I think the purpose is for rates payments or if you have any issues to raise for the city council). Community language collections available at Garden City Library is Chinese language collections.

A bus interchange is also located nearby this library. And if you ever crave for Indonesian food, an Indonesian “rumah makan” is located outside the shopping centre and it is within walking distance.

Garden City Library
corner Logan & Kessels Roads, Upper Mount Gravatt Queensland 4122

Mon-Wed, Fri: 9am-5.30pm
Thu: 9am-8pm
Sat: 9am-3pm
Sun: 10am-4pm

Annerley Library

Annerley Library is a library operated by Brisbane City Council located in the suburb of Annerley. The suburb of Annerley itself actually located very near to the suburb where I currently live, Holland Park. Unfortunately due to sucky public transport system over here, there is no direct bus service from my suburb to Annerley although both are located next to each other.

Annerley Library has about the same size of Stones Corner Library except it is in blue. I went to this library only once so far due to its very odd opening hours (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

A few years back, Channel 7 current affairs programme Today Tonight nominated Annerley as one of Brisbane’s racial enclave suburbs alongside Sunnybank, West End, Inala, Darra and Moorooka.

If it’s not for the opening hours I would visit this library as often as my other frequently-visited suburban libraries.

Annerley Library
450 Ipswich Road, Annerley Queensland 4103

Mon, Tue, Fri: 10am-5pm
Sat: 9am-1pm
(the other library that has only these days open is Carina Library; very inconvenient opening hours for me)