As the water recedes from my town, and we are left with thick, oily mud covering everything, I can only look around in despair.
The town that raised me, that took me back when I was ready to raise my own children and that has seen me through the best and worst moments of my life is gone. After nearly a week working in the evacuation centre and supporting those in need, I moved on to the clean-up crews downtown. Walking through the main CBD I came across this sight.
This image portrays a loss. A loss for my town, for me personally and a loss of information. However, after reading this weeks module, it also brings with it a sense of hope. We talk about information as being inconsumable, untransferable, indivisible and accumulative. Whilst this library that has stood here for the entirety of my life (and long before), now lays its collection upon the grass outside; I feel hopeful. I know that the years of knowledge I have accrued from this library is still with me, it is not lost to the waters though the physical books may be. The knowledge I have gained, is a shared knowledge with any other library going citizen who utilised this space, who hired from the collection or engaged with the services offered.
I am also hopeful that in a community such as the one in Lismore, that the library will rebuild and the information will continue to accumulate and be accessible by all.