Before I do commit myself to a recumbent position I would just like to emphasise that my point related to one very small element of the overall ceremony (ie the depiction of books as the source of knowledge). Generally I felt it was a powerful tribute to what people can achieve (irrespective of what we call “disability”) and I fully accept that my perception was not the intended one.

However I feel that “homage was paid to the acquisition of knowledge” through printed books, which is itself  a “lazy paradigm” and only partially helpful in promoting libraries, since we are not about the books themselves, but making available what is in them to as many people as possible, not only to those people who can access the printed word.

That’s all

Shaun

Shaun Smith ([log in to unmask])

Strategic Manager: Service Delivery

Swindon Libraries

Swindon Borough Council

Wat Tyler East

SN1 2JH

Tel:  01793 466504

Web:  www.swindon.gov.uk

Well you have made me think, but I have to admit I didn’t get this at all, as of course the Olympians were at the centre, and the story unfolded from Shakespeare to high tech with Higgs etc. To me it seemed to suggest knowledge was for all, and anyone can achieve anything.

Tw quotes I feel summed up my interpretation on the event.:-

‘’the ceremony seemed to suggest, the only barrier to disabled people's fulfilling their potential was one of perception. Look again, was the message. Think again. Crucially, the ideas of the ceremony were not clichés: there was no preaching text on inspirational lives, or triumph against adversity. Such lazy paradigms were left to the politicians interviewed by Channel 4 before the ceremony began, and to the TV commentary team.

The stadium had transformed by this point into a kind of library: homage was paid to the acquisition of knowledge, with, perhaps, a discreet political critique in play. If Boyle's message was "hands off our NHS", so Sealey and Hemmings' seemed to be "hands off our libraries".

For me then it is your perception and not the intended one and not mine.

Lie down and think of the Tempest!

f

I am very much in favour of promoting reading and access to literature and information on all its forms, but I felt that there is a danger that the emphasis on conventional books might reinforce a stereotype that books are for people with some kind of special need.

I frequently hear the opinion ” libraries are a good thing  for children and older people, but I don’t need to use them at the moment” and I can visualise millions of people watching last night and thinking “oh of course, disabled people have a lot of time for reading don’t they, so they must get through a lot of books – that must be a comfort to them”

Also. I didn’t notice anything other than conventional printed books depicted in the ceremony – many disabled people can’t use them and access literature and information through other media, but I don’t think I saw a performer using braille, listening to a boom box or looking at a computer screen.

Is it just me who feels like this?

If so please let me know and I will go and lie down in a darkened room (with an audio book)

Shaun

I totally agree I thought it was brilliant – highlighting what we already know and keep fighting for – that books truly do enlighten and touch us all. I really hope that the message has gone home on the importance of books and without them and the knowledge they convey where would we all be! So glad I stopped up to watch it all.

Who I wonder   watched the Paralympics last night. Any one from DCMS?  A testament to knowledge, the book, science, enlightenment, discover, equality and diversity. But very much an emphasis on BOOKS!!

Wonder what went through their minds and if public libraries featured?

Frances Hendrix

Martin House Farm, Hilltop Lane, Whittle le Woods, Chorley, Lancs, PR6 7QR

Tel:  01257 274 833.   Mobile: 0777 55 888 03

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