From the minute we moved from home to Hotel Jazz we have become suddenly and almost shockingly dependent on those precious public spaces and facilities we continue to provide for each other. We eat on park benches, fill up at water fountains, shower at the beach and brush our teeth at the public toilets.
But above all these are the most precious of all public resources, libraries. And South Australia does libraries well. Really well.
But above all these are the most precious of all public resources, libraries. And South Australia does libraries well. Really well.
In Mt Gambier all the most 'youth' books about vampires and loneliness and angsty sex are located close to the doors (to better lure them in) and the kids section has fibreglass caves. There are also silver science fiction villain chairs to read in. And a cafe. It's the greatest.
In the new Adelaide city library in Rundle Mall you can read a book in the roof garden or make a cup of tea. YOU CAN MAKE A CUP OF TEA! And their Spanish language selection would save us (me) a fortune.
At Glenelg the helpful librarian gave us wifi guest passes that are valid for two years and can be used in any public library in South Australia.
But for us it all started at Millicent, where we first crept into the tranquil warmth and shyly asked about internet access before discreetly pulling out our powerboard and recharging everything.
I overheard the group leader of a senior's internet class saying 'you can have as many email addresses as your want... gmail, hotmail, yahoo.. and they're all free!' This was followed by impressed murmurings. Hours later the songs and clapping of story time floated by.
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