The Marketing Magician (or how to pull an interested crowd out of your hat)...

One of the BIGGEST challenges of libraries today is to get bodies through the door, physical visitations are dropping as members choose to access offered online services choosing a 24 hour service over actually walking into a library for face to face. One of the major worries I have is how do we get big crowds to consistently attend our events (author visits, guest speakers, children's activities and sessions for youth). It is so frustrating when a free film that has been booked out for weeks has no kids show up for because it is way too hot and everyone is down at the pool or river cooling off.

We have an amazing event coming up on Sunday next week where (thanks to Penguin Publishing) author Molly Murn is appearing to promote her new novel Heart of the Glass Tree and I am hoping for quite a crowd but with only a week to promote my fingers, toes and other appendages are firmly crossed awaiting that miracle every marketing magician hopes for.

Wish me luck!

The simple joys of a 90s comedian

Hi name is Bean... A comical character from the early nineties who had a brilliant three season TV series and two follow up movies. I have been lucky enough to find the TV series at work so of course I just had to borrow it and bring it home for my family to enjoy. The five of us have all watched the two Bean movies and loved the silliness of this style of humour. I have been happily surprised that the TV shows are just as funny and just as silly as my wife and I both fondly recall. Our lounge has echoed with the sweet sound of happy tears as we have all enjoyed this classic comedy.

When life gives you lemons

It seems the age old saying "When life gives you lemons..." has had a recent upgrade. We have had a rough couple of weeks where it hasn't just rained but flooded. My wife and I have been seriously struggling with Master 12 (almost 13) on his next leg of his educational journey. As if this is not enough we have had a serious shock with another family member... Enough to call in the reinforcements and have a few catch-ups with some amazing friends.

The apex of this stress has resulted in a great night last night where all of our lemons we have been dealing with have been turned into an epic, late night session of home made beef burgers and a few glasses of champagne. What a brilliant night shared with an intimate group of close, special friends.

Those of you who have shown you care over the last few weeks (you know who you are)... Thank you... Truly thank you for being there when we have needed you the most... You are indeed true friends...