#55 Thompson

Dear diary,

Can I just say that I love being in outback Australia! It’s quiet, bright, warm and open. The people of the towns and cities are really friendly, and while many of them are quirky you rarely get any bad sorts. You can relax out here without a care in the world. It’s just like one giant library, only without the shelf-reading.

As we drove into the satellite town of Thompson the people stopped and stared at us, as though they’d never seen a Mobile Library before (which, fair enough, few people have). Our first day was fairly busy, with many people, most of them curious about what we actually were. The DVD and Talking Book collections confounded them – one woman crossed herself every time she walked past them. She asked in a timid voice why we had so many computers set up, and when I told her they were for a conference with the other library staff her expression became glazed, like a deer caught in the headlights.

Pepper and I sat at the table for the conference whilst Heb hid from view – he still hadn’t called his mother to tell her he’d come with us. Our efforts to keep mum proved futile when mum (a.k.a. Bron) appeared on screen and castigated her wayward son. She was smirking as she told him off so she can’t have been that mad. Right?

Everyone else waved hello – Shannon even made a banner – before getting down to business. Pepper updated them all on our progress so far: Sixty-eight temporary borrowers, One hundred and twelve loans, an average daily door count of Ninety-and-a-third people, and only One stolen magazine (I turned my back for a moment and that little girl stole Quantum Mechanics Quarterly – who’d have thought?).

Boudecia recounted to us what’s been happening at the (non-mobile) library. Sylvia has ordered in Talking Bookmarks for people who listen to audio CDs. Whilst striving to add to the Teenage collection, Goldie accidentally purchased some Porno Graphic Novels. TJ says he will look into them, avidly.

Ernesto banned a boy from using the computers because he had been hacking into the system. The boy kept sneaking back into the library to cause mayhem with the public internet, so Ernesto laid a trap for him, with Shannon’s expert assistance. The boy’s parents were called and found him tangled in a mesh wire net, with a bill for electronic damages pinned to his shirt.

It was good to ‘touch base’ with everyone. As much as I love this outback life it does feel a little isolating at times. I’m still getting used to seeing Pepper and Heb every day. Pepper has this annoying habit of singing along to every single song on the radio. When patron’s come in and comment she shushes them, then when they’ve gone she hums and gradually resumes singing.

Heb on the other hand,, is almost non-verbal, speaking only when spoken to. He always looks so intense; he’s made more than one kid cry when reading them a picture book in his sombre, deadpan voice. I didn’t think I would qualify to be able to say this about anyone else, but he really needs to get out more.

Anyway, we’re off ina few days, to the twin towns of Eldo and Rado. Sounds fun!

-Jay