They call themselves the ‘Mild Ones’
Once a year librarians from all over the State gather for a fun-filled weekend and talk fest. The topic of their discussion, you may suggest would be literature and culture in all its guises and you’d be right, but the talk will also be about their motorcycles. Get a group of riders together and it can’t be avoided!
They are, however, in tune with their profession and so on the road south scheduled pitstops are being made at various libraries along the way. They know that librarians love an excuse for coffee and a chat!
The event is called Biblio Turismo 2007 and this year the gathering point is Engadine Library on Thursday 8th of November. Bikers (who happen to be librarians) will begin arriving from 8.30am and are scheduled to depart at 10am.
The riders will then be calling in on Corrimal, Bowral (for lunch), Ulladulla and Bateman’s Bay public libraries as they make their way to Bateman’s pub for a well earned cool drink, invigorating topical discussion, dinner and rest.
The next day will see them gathering in front of libraries in Narooma, Bombala and Merimbula. Saturday the route leads them back north but via the inland route. Taking in a library stop in Monaro, then cruising up to Kiama where the offical ride ends.
Here participants bid their farewells and depart in all directions to be ready on Monday, to help their own unsuspecting library customers.
The inaugral ride was in 2006 and travelled from Springwood to Cootamundra. It was organised by Gorford City Library staff to raise awareness about country libraries and encourage young people into the profession.
Whilst the leather-clad librarians were outside Cootamundra Library, one young lad was heard to say to his mates, “they can’t be librarians – they’re too cool for that.” Just the effect to help dispell the stereotype of librarians being quiet and conservative.
If you find the concept of librarians on bikes all too hard to reconcile… come see for yourself! Have a coffee & a chat and let them convince you!
