Love is in the air and so is a koala at Belair National Park

Yesterday was a busy one for us. After Nen and I tackled our first (of many) Murray Bridge Park Runs along the bank of the gorgeous River Murray we hurried home to get ready to go out again. The Laws had been invited to the beautiful Belair National Park with a secret password - ENGAGED... Friends Emma and Mike are getting married and we were lucky enough to join other friends and family to help these two celebrate their love for each other.

The trip from The Bridge to Belair was confusing (thanks GOOGLE) but once we got to the Joseph Fisher Picnic Ground we settled in nicely and pitched the LAW/CROOK feasting area. Fine food, finer company and the sense that love was indeed in the air made for a lovely afternoon. The weather was great with plenty of tracks for the dads and kids to explore.

We saw birds galore, fox holes and even a koala climbing higher and higher (maybe it was searching for peace and quiet).

We discovered old friends and new and I can't wait for the two Tims to catch up and pop the top on a rich red while the wives continue bonding over bubbles and the kids run amok. Such a fun afternoon.

Many thanks Emma and Mike... Oh and congratulations by the way!

Park Run number one (hopefully of many)...

I've been hearing about this global phenomenon that started in London (Bushy Park, Teddington) about 15 years ago. A 5km course that is 'run' every Saturday morning across the globe. This free communal fitness fetish which encourages members to walk, run or jog the distance has become part of my brother-in-law's routine for a few weeks now, something that his whole family is doing. As every good brother-in-law does I thought I would go along to one and support.

Of course I had my wonderful side-kick join me too. Miss Nen kept pace with her Aunty and little Squidge while my mate Hicksy and I ran, jogged and walked with Maddy and Tills.

Fine weather, fine company and a chance to chat with so many. I handed out the high fives and found encouragement came thick and fast as runners sped past.

Our first Park Run was great fun and I for one cannot wait to go again! I now can totally understand what all the fuss is about.

Thanks Mel and the volunteers for doing a great job running the show and thanks to all my friends who have encouraged us to give it a go.

I think Miss Nen is so keen she wants to go next week with out me. Super dooper proud!

A visit from Eddie - A chance to show off flexibility, teamwork and the pull power of a star

When Eddie Betts says he wants to visit you find a way to make it happen. Regardless of where he is going next year and what he will be doing in 2020 there is no denying that Eddie Betts is the poster boy for kindness. Eddie's Lil Homies is a great book series for young children (0 to 6 years) which features the great goal sneak embracing his indigenous culture with pride (My People) and encouraging us to all be a little bit nicer by showing our kinder sides (My Kind). Eddie and his amazing team have recently been visiting Libraries and other locations throughout South Australia with one place luck enough to host being us.

This has been the biggest event ever planned for the library where I work with almost 300 members of the community (mostly children) expected. With that many people using a library in such a way needs planning, paperwork and a dedicated team to pull off such an event. Luckily I have risk assessment experts that I can call on, a great team and some great advisers. With such great support what could possibly go wrong...

Nothing!!!

Wednesday, October 9th we hosted Eddie and everything went to plan. With between 260 and 270 people attending we found we still had room to spare. Eddie was relaxed, a truly charismatic performer who was honest about past struggles and someone who knew his message and delivered it well.

In my mind we have proven we can successfully host big events with popular performers and authors. I am looking forward to our next big event with Judy Nunn at the end of the month and then what ever opportunities next.

Father's Day - A chance to celebrate family

In Australia the first Sunday of September is Father's Day. This year it just so happened to fall on September 1. In recent years we have found it easier to meet with my Dad and my wife's Dad on the day before as often we have ventured forth on a family outing to the Royal Adelaide Show on the actual Father's Day day. This year I was hoping to avoid the crazy crowds of people who normally attend the Show on the weekend, instead hoping to relive some of my fondest childhood memories at a nearby waterfall. Although the Saturday plan seemed to succeed with both dads seen and fed our Father's Day family plan unfortunately did not eventuate. Instead our focus was on our newest and smallest family member, a little ball of mischief named Patches.

We can always visit Mannum falls another time. Family is important, whether feathered, fury or not. I hope everyone had the chance to reflect, focus on family and what is important and to catch-up with those you love.

Inspiried and energised in the Land of Libraries

I have recently had the opportunity to venture forth, out from behind my desk and rub shoulders once again with my peers. The bi-annual South Australian Libraries conference held on the first Monday and Tuesday of September attracted many a South Aussie colleague as well as a few representatives from interstate. We had presentations from futurists, analysts and even a Teacher Librarian. From attending the two days I came away with my eyes opened regarding jobs of the future, possible library trends and the current state of our school libraries. All in all it was a great two days and I look forward to further working with some of the presenters, keeping in touch with the wonderful girls from Adelady (MCs for the conference) and doing what I can to try and support the future of all libraries.

First though I need to get my head back on straight, unpackage the wealth of new knowledge and bring my Managers and my team up to speed... If only there were another seven days in every week...

The future of Libraries is bright, but only if we learn to head toward the light and not chose to remain in the dark.

Forget tripping the light fantastic... I'm seeking the happy medium...

Let's face a fact right now, straight off the bat... It is a well known and accepted fact that you just cannot please everyone. Even working for a community library where you offer books, magazines, toys, music, movies and so much more for free (YES!! FFFFRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!) you still find that there are people you just cannot please.

At the library where I work once a month we have a local musician or band come in and play for an hour on the weekend. The aim is to bring more young people into the library as a hangout space, a place where you can catch up with mates and just let some awesome tunes wash over you. We are incredibly blessed with the young talent in my local community and I think it is a great opportunity to give this talent somewhere to play. If I had a bigger budget I think we would probably do it more.

Loud libraries are not for everyone though. Sadly we have had complaints about the 'noise'. I think this is a challenge for libraries these days, looking for that pot of gold event or service that brings the hordes regularly through the doors. More and more we we are looking for ways to bring the fun and chaos which creates excitement in kids and giggles and squeals of laughter from toddlers as they come near our doors and then rush on in. I have a feeling that libraries are only going to get louder.

Where then do we find that happy medium? How do we encourage the crazy while holding a space for the business meetings, the travellers on Skype and the Uni students needing a corner for some quiet study... More and more we are trying to achieve mission impossible... More and more libraries especially are trying to be everything for everyone... As this is something that is not going to change any time quickly I have only one thing to say... Challenge accepted!!

Fun and frivolity in the court of King Tim

Last night I was able to swap my wizard's robes for a King's crown. My 40th birthday party was hosted at our local Community Club with a dress up theme of medieval, finally an opportunity for me to be King for the day. I loved that nearly everyone I hoped could be there was there and that almost everyone who did come along to help me celebrate another decade of life were garbed in wonderful, colourful costume. We had Princesses and Knights galore, a peasant or two and of course my stunningly beautiful Queen. Jousting was fun (I cannot count the number of times I was knocked off my hobby-horse) and the cake was delicious (thanks to the truly, amazingly talented Nikki) with not a single slice left over. I loved how excited everyone was about their costumes and how huge a surprise it was to see who or what walked through the doors. We had a delightful pair of dragons, an Enchanter named... TIM! as well as a wonderful witch (may we burn her?) and Arthur himself along with his lady... So many wonderful characters.

Our local Community Club was again a terrific venue. There may not have been a lot of groovers on the dance floor (something about my choice of tunes) but I heard many comments on the photos of me from my younger years as well as captured memories of more recent years.

I need to thank my very generous friends and family for some wonderful gifts I will enjoy now and some gifts that will certainly be enjoyed very soon. Thanks a million to the wonderful Spezzano who delivered the Royal family there and back again in our van even when the elements were unkind. An extra special thanks goes to Hicksy for the popcorn and jelly cups and to Sunnie for those sandwiches that like magic just vanished the moment we took the plastic wrap off. Thanks also go to the wonderful Princess Larissa who helped out where and whenever we needed. The biggest heart shaped thanks I need to save for my gorgeous Queen Heidi. The efforts behind the scenes from my darling wife were phenomenal. Queen of the Party and Queen Party-planner. Thank you sweetness... Thank you for EVERYTHING.

So much fun... I should have turned 40 years ago...