Appearance: Horror At The Metcalfe

[klward]

I am an unashamed library hound. I have a Special Collections gold card at the New South Wales State library, and a favourite table in the Mitchell reading room. I've attended Fisher so regularly, at various times, that I was approached about the Student elections. So you will understand, I am particularly gratified by this engagement.

Every year, the NSW Readers Advisory Working Group in collaboration with the State Library of New South Wales runs a seminar on a different literary genre, as part of their Public Library Services. These events are attended by librarians from all parts of New South Wales. They aim to enhance their ability to advise and assist readers who are interested in that kind of fiction. This year, it's horror.

On Wednesday, 12 March, I'll be speaking (around 2.45 pm) on how libraries and horror writers can assist each other, and the work of the Australian Horror Writers Association and its American counterpart. kaaronwarren, multi-award-winning author of the likes of Slights and The Grinding House, is also on a bill that includes Keith Whelan on writing horror and Becky Siegel (author of The Readers Advisory Guide to Horror) skyping in from Illinois. Attendance is limited to professional librarians, which should make for an interesting audience.

Libraries will always be one of the most important gateways between writer and reader. Nothing on the net performs their function. Although you may not be able to attend this event, now is always a good time to consider what the libraries in your past have enabled you to do, and how you can support them in the present.

Comments

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

That's very cool! Both that they saw your awesomeness and that they're seeing horror as something librarians need educating in (for it's true).

[ankh-hpl.livejournal.com]

Excellent news! I've been volunteering at my local branch library for 17 years now, & everything you said about libraries is quite true. More horror awareness is definitely needed, & I'm glad you're there to provide it.

[kylaw.livejournal.com]

I emphasis that it was the librarians who decided they needed to know more about horror; I just happened to be available.