May 14
There are several things you can count on in this world: Every now and then, the New York Times will write a 10 years too late article about hipsters and Brooklyn; someone will start an essay about graphic novels with the phrase "Comics! They're not just for kids anymore!"; and a rich white dude will pen a wishy washy article about the how libraries are dead…
May 6
A hongi with the Rebel Alliance
Librarians in Auckland ventured into comic book stores to celebrate Star Wars Day and Free Comic Book Day by issuing memberships and loaning items from their collections. More soon, but in the meantime here’s Twitter coverage via Storify.
[View the story "Auckland Libraries goes mobile for Star Wars Day/Free Comic Book Day" on Storify]
Mar 5
Marina and the Diamonds – image (c) Frances Ross
Libraries are utterly thrilling places. At least they ought to be. They should wow the pants off people. Shouldn’t they? All that free stuff. All that culture. All that Keatsian poetry to woo the ladies, and bomb-like knowledge to help pave your way in the world. What’s not to like?
I have long held the belief that a library user should leave a library a more enlightened, brighter, happier, braver, more empowered individual compared to the same person that first went in. In modern TV-land, the romance of people “going on a jouney” is increasingly paramount.
People go on journeys in libraries every day. Maybe we just don’t shout about it enough?
But for that to happen, for that surging flood of the imagination to take place, for the journey to take place at all, the original resources often need to be re-imagined. To be presented in a way that is fresh and appealing and meaningful. Especially to the young.
Following a meeting with Culture Minister Ed Vaizey, award-winning UK playwright Fin Kennedy is running a campaign to raise governmental awareness of the effects of arts funding cuts upon theatres. I spoke to him about the project and the importance of the arts in Britain.
To anyone who doesn't know about your campaign - what are you trying to achieve, and who can get involved?
A youth event with a difference highlights the community value of libraries
There is no-one in the library when the children arrive.
Jagged letters are chalked across the door: SAVE YOURSELVES.
Blood is pooled on the front step. Within, bookshelves have been knocked to the ground, their contents spilled across the carpet.
The air is thick with summer heat and silence.
Who knew that being attacked by zombies and holed up in the Library results in research, planning and writing outcomes for students?
On Friday 9 November, the township of Tullamore awoke to an eerie silence. On a visit to the Library, tweens and teens in Year 4-11 from Tullamore Central School discovered it had been trashed, and soon after had to lock themselves in as zombies tried to break down the doors to feast on their young, creative brains.
Nov 9
Today I survived a Zombie Apocalypse!
Don't believe me?
Here's photo evidence...
Ok, so maybe it wasn't a real Zombie attack - but it had all the elements.
It was an educational exercise run by Dr Matthew Finch and it was awesome.
Starting at the school, the students of Tullamore Central School did not know what they were getting into as they walked down to the library.
A guest post by Dr Matt Finch
Snoopy was my first comic book hero. Before I could read, before I could even follow the stories from frame to frame, I used to flip through the dozens of Peanuts books we had lying around our home, hunting out the pictures of Charlie Brown’s taciturn dog.
Charles Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, was a master cartoonist who could convey volumes with a minimal number of pen strokes.
Matt at Coney Island Subway, March 2011
At the prompting of various friends and colleagues, I’ve launched a tumblr at matthewfinch.tumblr.com, where you can see photos and other media from recent adventures on the road in literacy, outreach and community education.
After this: more on my Antipodean experiences, Hong Kong visit and the long-awaited Scandinavian project. Stay tuned…
Dr Matt Finch with Behind the Book's Comic Workshop in Brooklyn, NYC
Tonight, Thursday 1st September, I’ll be the guest speaker at the opening dinner of Paint the Town REaD’s Annual Convention in Sydney.
You can find them online at their new home, http://paintthetownread.info/
To discover more about this amazing Australian community literacy scheme, read my recent piece on the website of New York literacy organisation Behind the Book:
Theme: Linen by The Theme Foundry
