The Astor Theatre

While it is pleasing to see that the future of the Astor Theatre is assured following its purchase by St Michael’s Grammar School, it is timely to place this achievement in context. In the 1940’s Melbourne boasted a (mostly) fine suburban picture theatre in almost every suburban locality, some 50 theatres in all. These glittering beacons rose out of dreary suburban shopping strips offering the possibility of escape and enjoyment to the local population. Many of these theatres were designed by the most innovative architects of the time, bringing, as one author noted “luxury and costly beauty to the masses they could not afford in their home life”. Only a few of these buildings remain today, and they have been severely compromised through twinning or tripling.They have mostly been replaced by the most artless, unappealing and poorly designed office blocks, retail outlets and fast food restaurants. The finest modernist cinema architects in the thirties in Melbourne were H. Vivian Taylor, Soilleux and Overend, and their greatest achievements have mostly met the wrecker’s ball: The Padua in Brunswick, The Regal in Hartwell, the Park in Albert Park and the Windsor in Prahran (demolished without a wimper two years ago). Only the Rivoli in Camberwell survives in a severely compromised form. It is indeed ironic that the Astor, an unremarkable and some would say clumsy example of the suburban picture house is now considered to be our iconic art deco cinema. This says much about our conservation values. Melbourne is so very self satisfied and so very pleased with itself these days that the preservation of a second rate building by chance is hailed as a great conservation achievement, and somehow means that the loss of significant, well designed buildings does not matter.

Library 2.0

While the concept of Library 2.0 is interesting and it is good to have two way communication between the library and its users and to be responsive to their needs, there is a danger in allowing clients to totally direct the nature and content of the service or the content of collections and services. As educators, our role traditionally has been to lead and direct and impart knowledge and wisdom to students, based on superior learning and adult experience. This role should be acknowledged and respected. Some current library scenarios which have been directed by the clients represent a lowering of standards and show a disregard for the welfare of others- allowing students to eat and drink with no regard to cleanliness and consideration of others, permitting loud inappropriate converations on mobile phones in public places, encouraging library users to sprawl on lounge chairs and ottomans...Our responses to the demands of library clients need to closely considered and measured.

del.icio.us

is an online bookmarking manager. It allows you to add bookmarks and share them with others. It's great if you want access to your bookmarks from multiple locations, eg home and office. Very useful.