Meet Me at the Library Podcast meetmeatthelibrary
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- Society & Culture
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How do public libraries fight racism? Can you be addicted to books? What’s it really like to be a librarian?
Each episode of Meet Me at the Library takes you inside a public library in Central Victoria to discover how these remarkable spaces bring us together.
Hear stories of people finding hope and happiness through their public library, and lingering tales of heartache and loss.
Find out why these surprising, creative and democratic places – our public libraries - might just be among the most valuable spaces we’ve got.
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Michelle, on life as a book addict
"I like the smell of books. It's addictive - I wish you could bottle up and put it in a perfume spray, because it would be the best perfume smell."
Michelle Elliot replaced cigarettes with books five years ago and hasn't looked back.
"I was a heavy smoker and I had no willpower to give up. One day I took the tablets (to stop smoking), and after that I started going to the library. I couldn't stop reading."
In the final episode of Season 1 of Meet Me at the Library, we're celebrating books with a book addict, and an all-star librarian.
Credits:
Host/Producer: Anne-Marie Middlemast
Supervising Producer: Jane Curtis
Mix Engineer: Hamish Robertson, Tall Tale Audio
Music: Eliza Hull / Blue Dot Sessions / Chad Crouch
Artwork: Justine Henry
Supported by: MAIN 94.9FM and Goldfields Library Corporation
Produced with the assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
Find out more at www.cbf.org.au -
Meredith, and the library delivery service
What do you do if you can’t get to your local library?
Call for help from the Home Library Service!
Marvellous Meredith is a volunteer with the Home Library Service at her local library, selecting and delivering books and other library items to people in her community who are unable to visit the library.
“We're supposed to stay for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour. Well, I generally stay for at least half an hour with each of my ladies, because I enjoy their company.”
Find out why the service matters so much, from those that rely on it.
Credits:
Host/Producer: Anne-Marie Middlemast
Supervising Producer: Jane Curtis
Mix Engineer: Hamish Robertson, Tall Tale Audio
Music: Eliza Hull / Blue Dot Sessions / Chad Crouch
Artwork: Justine Henry
Supported by: MAIN 94.9FM and Goldfields Library Corporation
Produced with the assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
Find out more at www.cbf.org.au -
Bruno, the Cultural Champion
“Libraries are such amazing spaces. They are democratic in themselves, and forums for people to come together. It’s a place where you can share your culture.”
So says Paris-born cultural champion, Bruno Spandonide.
He’s been sharing culture at his local library as part of a program that aims to increase connections between diverse cultures and communities.
“You can discover the world when you go to a library.”
Bruno's ideas on the library being a force for positive change are right on, and something that many of world’s leading thinkers on cities and sustainable living agree with.
So why are the places where we borrow our books a major tool in fighting racism and discrimination?
Credits:Host/Producer: Anne-Marie Middlemast
Supervising Producer: Jane Curtis
Mix Engineer: Hamish Robertson, Tall Tale Audio
Music: Eliza Hull / Blue Dot Sessions / Chad Crouch
Artwork: Justine Henry
Supported by: MAIN 94.9FM and Goldfields Library Corporation
Produced with the assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
Find out more at www.cbf.org.au -
Ange, on living the dream
What would you LOVE to do for work, if only you could?
“A friend of mine posted on Facebook about her dream job, and I said I want to be that library lady with the microphone that gets to read the stories and sing the songs.” Angela Graystone is living her best life having landed her dream job as a librarian. She spends her days singing nursery rhymes, blowing bubbles and reading storybooks aloud to children. “Being an extrovert definitely helps in my job – it makes it easier that’s for sure.” Twenty years ago though, the public library is the last place Ange thought she’d end up. Credits:Host/Producer: Anne-Marie MiddlemastSupervising Producer: Jane CurtisMix Engineer: Hamish Robertson, Tall Tale AudioMusic: Eliza Hull / Blue Dot Sessions / Chad CrouchArtwork: Justine HenrySupported by: MAIN 94.9FM and Goldfields Library CorporationProduced with the assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation.Find out more at www.cbf.org.au -
Aunty Julie, and her super foods
“I've always been interested in bush tucker and indigenous foods … when I retired, I had time to have a go growing some myself.”
Aunty Julie McHale is an adopted Indigenous elder living on Dja Dja Wurrung country, who has grown more than 90 different types of native Indigenous plants on her property. Lemon myrtle, native plums, wattleseed and finger limes are all on offer for the tasting at Aunty Julie’s, and for sharing with others.
“When you’re in a group and you’re sharing food – that’s when all the yarning happens.”
Find out how Aunty Julie, and the group of Indigenous women she works with are using their local library to share knowledge of indigenous plants and foods with the wider community.
Credits:
Host/Producer: Anne-Marie Middlemast
Supervising Producer: Jane Curtis
Mix Engineer: Hamish Robertson, Tall Tale Audio
Music: Eliza Hull / Blue Dot Sessions / Chad Crouch
Artwork: Justine Henry
Supported by: MAIN 94.9FM and Goldfields Library Corporation
Produced with the assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
Find out more at www.cbf.org.au
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Dingee, the Little Town that Could
“It’s quaint, that’s probably the best word to describe it.”
The small town of Dingee (population: 206) in Central Victoria has all the essentials, and not much more. There’s a pub, church, bush nurse, general store, and a public library.
Historically known as a dairy farming community, severe drought and flood have meant many of the farms have packed up and moved on.
“That’s where the library’s great. People will come in here just to get away from all their angst and worry about it.”
Discover why the public library in Dingee, which is located in an historic railway station, is giving meaning to the lives of residents in the town.
Credits:Host/Producer: Anne-Marie MiddlemastSupervising Producer: Jane CurtisMix Engineer: Hamish Robertson, Tall Tale AudioMusic: Eliza Hull / Blue Dot Sessions / Chad CrouchArtwork: Justine HenrySupported by: MAIN 94.9FM and Goldfields Library CorporationProduced with the assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at www.cbf.org.au
Customer Reviews
Libraries!!! The communities unsung heroes.....can’t wait to hear more!
Great concept....
Best thing ever
Like being at the library with your favourite book, but better.
Great idea for a podcast! 😊
So excited to listen to this podcast - libraries rock!