IFLA 2008 (part 11): Visit to Bibliothèque de Charlesbourg (Charlesbourg Public Library)

[From Part 11]

13 Aug 08, 8am. Libraries for Children and Young Adults Section off-site programme.

This is a long post. Plenty of pictures.

This morning, we visited the Bibliothèque de Charlesbourg (pronounced "char-le-boo").




We were ushered into a very cosy auditorium.


I love how they constructed this balcony to accommodate wheelchairs and maybe baby prams. So thoughtful!


The library was started in October 1981, then relocated to its new premises in October 1983. It's said to have one of the best Young Adults service and programmes.

They serve 74,000 residents. Renovated two years ago (enlarged the library space by three times, at a cost of €6.3 million Euros -- wow, did I hear that right?)

I canbelieve it cost that much.


It's an impressive building.



Our guide explained how the building is designed to be eco-friendly (something about the roof but I didn't catch the details).



The interior was designed for efficient traffic flow. The designers aimed to make it easy to find things and for the place to feel like a second home.

[I found this to be true. It's huge and looks complex but somehow moving from section to section was straight forward and along structured path ways. The 6.3m Euros was well-spent].


I believe this is the self-checkout machine. It was the only one I saw in the library. The library isn't into self-help services it seems.


The OPAC stations are clustered together. Very simple yet elegant designs. Their CPU unit is exposed. I guess it eliminates the heat issue but wonder if any users have itchy-fingers and switch the machines on/ off.


The holder for the paper (for users to copy the Call Number) is bolted down. Nice.


Here's something new to me: Library items with the "$" symbol on the cover means users have to pay a fee per item to borrow. This is the Bestsellers and popular items section. The fee is around $3 Canadian.

They have adopted to use fees to regulate demand. I wondered how they dealt with complaints by those who say they cannot pay.

There's WIFI access in the library (not sure if it's free or fee).

Here's the study area.


Table-top has concealed power and LAN points.


Their Children's Section is enclosed in glass (stops the noise).


From the outside, the desk of the Children's Librarian is visible.


Here's the inside of the section.


A shelf of toys!


There's a presentation room for kids. I think the sign says "No Admittance over 6".


When I stepped in, the space looked impressive. It wasn't apparent there was this space from the outside.


At the corner there's a audio/ headset.


There's an area where the kids can watch stuff from a TV (videos or TV programmes I think). Parents can sit on the couch overlooking the kids.


Behind the wall (where the TV is installed) is a nappy changing fold-up board and a microwave oven for heating up milk! Wow.




Upstairs is the Young People's section, if I'm not wrong. I'm guessing from the beanbags that it is! Correction: Their library inter-shelves the Young Adult and Adult collections.


Straight ahead is the Periodicals section.

There are a few steps up. The designers provided a lift (no space to build a ramp, I think).


There's a consistent clean, cool feel to the whole place. It's modern and cozy.


The cool thing is that right across the other side, you can see the office. I wonder if that's the library director at her desk?!


Walking out, you see a TV lounge area. Nice.

What's cool is that you can look across to the library office!

The Multimedia section is in the basement (kind of like a hangout for teens and young adults as well).


The AV materials are free to watch in the library (deposit required to use the player). Payment of S1.50 to borrow (I think it's a cheaper rate in consideration for teens).


They have punk and heavy metal music in their collections! Wonder if they carry Joe Satriani (man, if they put a drum/ guitar/ bass kit in the basement...)


This is a place I'd definitely want to hang out.


At the ground floor, the library is connected to an exhibition space.


Services and programmes they provide:

• Reading day in a public space
• Reading day in schools
• Introduction to reading and writing
• Public library week
• Read & Get Reading (seniors reading to kids - www.lireetfairelire.qc.ca)
• They have a mascot in their storytelling for kids. Average 34 kids per session. It's so popular they require reservations.
• Storytimes in pajamas
• Arts and science workshops
• Summer reading month (last week of June to end Aug. There are prizes when kids complete 5, 10, or 15 books)
• Film screenings (to give more reasons for users to visit. The screenings are held at regular times so that there is a routine).
• They introduced a character Chien De Lisard, aimed at young adults ages 13 to 21 (see www.bibliothequesdequebec.qc.ca/chien). At the site, teens can post on what they read (the presenter mentioned they wanted an "edgy and mildy subservive atmosphere" for the site)
• For the 8 to 12 year-olds, they have a literary society rather than reading club format. Each activity is independent of the other and has themes.
• Four times a year, daycare centres receive 65 books for children and daycare workers. Part of encouraging daycare centres to recognise importance of reading to young children.
• They organise teacher meetings; send information packs to schools
• A "School bag package" for teachers to hold classroom activities in the library
  

Very, very nice. I'm impressed.

The physical space is well thought-out. It's a huge space yet it's not overbearing. There are clear spaces for Children, Teens and Adults (though I feel the teens section ought to have it's own enclosed area like the Children's section, and with a different feel).

Their services seems quite comprehensive and proactive.

From this visit, what's interesting to me are the consistent trends of:

• Libraries moving towards an inter-generation theme
• Children's services remains at the forefront of the public library services
• Services to Youths is also deemed important. And most libraries in any country face the same challenges in trying to get teens to read

I'm also interested in how they reach out to the adults aged 30 to 49. I was too busy taking pictures and copying notes that I didn't get a chance to ask.

[I realised I've done a better job reporting what this library has done -- in terms of services to Children and Teens -- than what I've blogged about for Singapore's public libraries. Maybe I should invite a Canadian librarian over to give an objective assessment!

Anyway, if you're a Singaporean reading this, we may not have six million Euros to spend per library but otherwise what we have is pretty consistent :)]

Next: Part 12

IFLA 2008 (part 10): "You Can't Take Me Home"

[From Part 9]

I got tired of blogging about the "serious stuff".

So...

Here's a very cool T-shirt (but worned by an uncool-looking dude, I'm afraid!)


My Norwegian colleague, Linn, gave out T-shirts her library produced as part of a project. In the centre of the T-shirt, it says "Lkke til hjemlan".

It means "You Can't Take Me Home".

I guess you have to be a librarian to appreciate the joke. LOL

Back to the serious stuff.

[Next: Part 11 - Visit to Bibliothèque de Charlesbourg]

IFLA 2008 (part 9): Revised guidelines for library services for young adults

[From Part 8]

8.30am, 12 Aug 2008, Quebec City. Libraries for Children and Young Adults Section.

This morning, our Section presented the revised guidelines for library services for young adults (which will be available at the Section webpage soon).

Specifically, it was Patricia Muller from USA (Left in the picture) who did the presentation.


Not surprising to see 140 to 150 people attending. As with previous years, there are lots of people interested in Children and Young Adults libraries.


In her presentation, Pat emphasised that the librarian should have some form of training before assigning them to Young Adult (YA) services. At least, not simply because so-and-so staff is available.

"You cannot provide effective services to Young Adults without their inputs," says Pat. And the work you assign to them has to be meaningful (i.e. not ask them to paste stuff or as additional labour).

The revised guidelines features "Ten Service Goals":

1. The library has established clear policy statements concerning the right to free access by young adults to library resources and information sources; and respect for the rights of young adults to select materials appropriate to their needs without censorship.
2. The library program for young adults is effectively managed according to best practices.
3. There is equitable distribution of resources to support programs and services for young adults.
4. Library staff is (should this be are rather than is?) knowledgeable about adolescent development and age appropriate resources for young adults, inclusive of those with special needs.
5. The library provides a wide spectrum of current materials of interest to young adults to encourage life-long learning, literacy, and reading motivation.
6. The library provides resources to support the educational needs of young adults.
7. The library assists young adults in acquiring the skills to effectively access all library resources and become information and computer literate.
8. The library fosters youth development by providing opportunities for young adults to participate in planning and implementing library programs and services for themselves.
9. The library creates an area just for young adults that is attractive and interesting to them.
10. The library works in partnership with other community agencies and organizations to support all aspects of healthy, successful youth development.

The ten goals are not meant to be prescriptive. Some countries may want to modify those goals.

Pat advised that it's not possible to accomplish all ten goals. Just start with one and move on to others. Sound advice.

Pat also said the website is a important marketing tool.

"Flashy - that's what they want!"

She acknowledged that having a website would require resources. The key thing was to try (I say, try a blog!)

I took some shots of participants snapping up the printed copies after the presentation.



Q&A session
The questions (and the inevitable commentary) came fast and furious.

"How do you treat young adults? As teens or as adults?"

"Should we use the term 'Young Adults' or 'Teens'?".
One suggestion was to use the word teens. One participant shared that teens preferred to be considered as adults.

One participant asked if anyone has integrated music as part of library itself (rather than a library programme).

I scribbled a note to Ingrid, who was chairing the session. I asked that she tell the participants about our mailing list. Those excellent questions and comments ought to be posted there!

I suspect many in the room were practitioners. Who were interested in "How To" questions.

Seems we all face the same issues when it comes to delivering services to teens.

[Next: Part 10]

IFLA 2008 (part 8): Reading in hospitals & new technologies

A presentation, also from France, after this one (part 7).

This one was about a book lending service in Paris public hospitals.


The presenter, Ms. Claude Guerin, spoke in French. I copied what I could from her powerpoint which had accompanying English translations. Any factual mistakes are mine.

Some facts that I found interesting

• There are 26 "hospital district agencies" and 3,000 health establishments (in Paris alone?)
• One out of five (I'm not sure if it's in France or just Paris) are hospitalised each year
• The reading initiative in hospitals arose from an inter-ministerial agreement; a "culture in hospitals agreement" (I found this PDF of a supplementary handout that was distributed at the session).
• Reading was a "a significant social practice in hospitals"
• System-wide, there was an average of 2,700 publications per hospital (a 5% increase; I'm not sure compared to when).
• 95% of the collections books, 7% AV items, marginal number of electronic resources (note: these are just averages and scale varies from library to library)
• Most collections are leisure-related (e.g. Fiction). Practically no health subjects
• About 33% of hospitals have weekly carriages to rooms; 33% have a library within the hospital; 33% have a "book on request" service for patients via phone call to the hospital staff
• 73% have volunteers to help in providing the service
• 24% employ non-professional employees in hospitals
• 2% employ trained librarians
• 1% are assisted by librarians seconded from from public libraries
• 32% of the hospitals are planning for multimedia workshops

From their experience, the public (i.e. patients) expects AV materials, digital resources, materials adapted for the elderly and disabled, documents on the consequences of diseases or on how to live a handicap.

Some libraries have started offering computers (for patients to use for work purposes and to email their family, search about pathologies, or search for convalescent homes)

One pediatric hospital provided laptops loaded with educational software. They let the child patient surf the net, email their parents or with other patients. Social networking among the kids!

---

My thoughts
Libraries in hospitals. Why not?!

The patients are a captive audience. I'm sure doing something constructive, like reading, while recuperating is a positive activity. Of course we'd want to avoid violent or depressing themes.

Learn a skill when recuperating in hospital. Booktalks. Book discussions...

Library services in hospitals can enhance the health care service in Singapore. It might come with a fee, depending on the scope of service. Or hospitals can work with public libraries who can offer outreach services which are currently free.

Perhaps co-funding between the MOH and MICA? Or even with MCYS if we're talking about the Class C wards. I can imagine HPB coming into the picture too.

The more I think about it, the more a browsing/ lending service in the hospital makes sense.

If I'm a non-reader, it might be a way to get back to reading. During the recuperation stage, recovering patients might want to know more about living with their health condition. Or maybe psychology-related books, like those on Positive Thinking.

Even if I'm a reader, the last thing I'd plan for a stay in the hospital are reading materials. Visiting relatives may not bring reading materials in for me.

Oh, the social networking aspect just sounds great. Imagine, patients logging in to the hospital library online portal, seeking fellow patients out, discussing their condition and experience in privacy and perhaps anonymity, with occasional moderation by qualified hospital staff.

Definitely an area to explore.

We'll see.

[Next: Part 9]

IFLA 2008 (part 7): E-reading for disabled persons

[From Part 6]

Monday, 11 Aug 2008, Quebec City. Libraries Serving Disadvantaged Persons Section.


"E-reading for disabled persons: The French digital library for the Disabled" by Monique Pujol.

Monique spoke in French but her slides had English explanations so I was able to follow (good thinking, 'cos translation receiver headsets might fail.)

She shared about their digital library serving people with disabilities, based in the city of Boulogne-Billancourt. The project was a multi-party collaboration. It involved the Paris Public Hospital Network, commercial companies (who provided digital content, computer hardware) and disabled persons associations.

The service is offered via this website - bnh.numilog.com


Collections

• They acquire recent (i.e. popular) & classical works
• 55% Fiction and 45% Non-fiction items
• So far they have1,120 written works, 210 audio items, and 7,000 documents.
• The use the PDF format, as it works with Text-to-Voice softwares like JAWS
• Something about adopting "PRC for palm PDA smartphones", as it allows text enlargement (I think it's this)
• Audio formats would be WMA and MP3

Costs
About 50,000 Euros per year to maintain the website and for acquiring the digital books

Users & Fees

• The service is for individuals or institutions
• It's only for users with disabilities of any form. Proof being the disability association they belong
• There's an annual joining fee between eight Euros (for city inhabitants) to 20 Euros for non-residents
• There are 400 registered users, out of which 40% have some form of motor-disabilities and 47% have some form of visual-disability

Results of evaluation
They conducted a study with the help of university students. It was a national sample, using an online questionnaire. Some person-to-person interviews were also done to collect testimonials.

On the minus-side, Users reported an insufficient number of "copyrighted resources" ( I think this means current and popular materials that aren't free or in public domain). The formats and technology was also a challenge to users.

On the plus-side, users liked the remote access service and some felt they had a greater degree of independence in obtaining information materials.


Future plans
Overall the project was deemed as feasible. They now plan to create a telephone hotline for users who need assistance on how to use the service. They intend to expand to youth collections, start a selection committee, and plan to hold discussions with hospitals and agencies.


My thoughts
I wondered how many persons with disabilities in Singapore currently use the digital books and audio collections that are already available via the NLB library website (National and Public libraries). I suspect not many. It's something my colleagues and I can try to ascertain.

Compared to five years ago, the NLB digital collections have improved a lot in terms of quality. There's ebooks and audio. Access and use of digital resources has steadily increased. I suspect a lot is via word-of-mouth.

I don't forsee the quality of collections to be the major issue (although there will always be the issue of bestsellers not in the digital collections, but this is really the publisher's perogative).

Part of the issue may be the lack of awareness of our current digital services, by people with disabilities. This can be addressed through regular promotions and publicity activities, via the organisations serving people with disablilities.

I've a feeling the biggest issue would be web accessibility, where the site is accessible to people using screen-to-voice softwares etc.

It's not easy to create a 100% disabled-accessible site AND still make the site "interesting" to majority of users. I think most developers (and the organisations who commission them) don't really make sure there is web accessibility for people with disabilities. Either because of cost and time constraints, or lack of awareness of such a need, or they feel the priority is for the general population. Frankly, my employer is no exception.

But in truth, it's easy to hide behind the excuse of "organisation inertia".

I think things will happen when someone wants to make it happen. That someone don't have to be a person at very senior levels. Of course the lower down in the organisation hierarchy, the longer time it will take.

I'll have to start with myself then.

Seems there are two options here:

1. Re-design the existing site (or sections in the website) to ensure the digital resources are disability-friendly
2. Don't try to aim for a disability-friendly site that is exactly the same. Build a sister-website. A no-frills one. Aim to just provide access to the digital resources.

Option 1 would take a long, long time to achieve. And probably not go anywhere. It could cost a lot more and likely to result in compromises in design and features.

I'm inclined towards option 2. The sister-site could be a blog (costs nothing to set up if we use free online services). Include "hardcoded" links on the site to selected e-resources.

Idea needs more work. Maybe the users feel this won't be useful at all. I'll need to discuss with colleagues, and also people in agencies like DPA, SPD, SADEAF.

We need to talk to some of their clients. First we ascertain how many of them are aware of the current digital services and content. If they are already using it or have tried to use it, what are the problems.I'd like to think of this sister-site as a side door to some (not all) of the content and services.

A no-frills "side door"
It's unlikely the site will be a full one-stop portal to the digital content. The different digital content sources have varying degrees of disability-access (in the digital content business model, the service providers own the content and merely gives us a right to access for a subscription fee).

For those cases, users who want more could email the librarian for assistance. Will the librarians be overwhelmed? Who knows until we try?

My point is that the site could be a poor cousin to the full web service. And users won't be fully independent in using the service.

But at least it's there.

[Next: Part 8]

IFLA 2008 (part 6): Senior Spaces - the library place for baby boomers, older adults & their families

[From Part 5]

Sunday, 10 Aug 2008 (Quebec City).

Mr. Alan Kleinmann, from Old Bridge Public Library in the US, spoke about his library's Senior Spaces project (see also, seniorspaces.blogspot.com!)

The room was almost filled for this presentation organised by the Libraries Serving Disadvantaged Persons Section.


Alan said it was a clear indication that there's an interest in this area for years to come. And that the librarians are planning for their own service!

[Probably true. And from what I observe, mention 'Seniors' and you'd tend to attract more participants than if you mention 'Disability' in the programme title].

Alan mentioned that the shift in aging population happening all over the world (true, as cited in this presentation for my Davies Forum talk -- see slides 12 to 17).

At his library, they recognised that baby boomers working for past 20 to 30 years have not used libraries. Also, since there's a specific space for children, why not for seniors? (in fact, Children's spaces was not common in the early days of public libraries).

Hence their 'Senior Spaces' project, serving "all three generations of older adults—the baby boomers not yet retired, older adults who have retired in the last few years, and the elderly many who can no longer get to the library".


What is in this Senior Spaces
The Senior Spaces includes the physical aspect, programmes, meetings (among seniors), learning, a bookstore, "and more" (apparently they have gaming!)

Books remain at the focus of what they created. They have events like "Senior Fridays", a club called "Savvy Seniors" who plan outings for themselves.

There's an extensive large print collection with a Face Out shelving (Alan says the large print collection goes out like hot cakes).


They have free computer classes for seniors. They want to use their libraries to help seniors bridge the digital divide (I totally agree with this approach).

They formed an advisory board comprising of two library board members and library customers. He says the advisory board suggested things which they wouldn't have thought about, like a Foreign Film club.

They teach users how to use the assistive software.

Another cool feature -- the librarian's desk is right smack in the Senior Spaces. Just a table and chair rather than an imposing service counter desk. This arrangement came out of necessity (lack of space) but it worked beautifully, according to Alan (and I would think so).

They have an active seniors club (I think this is the picture showing the Savvy Seniors, who organise their out outings).


Gaming in library - for seniors
Alan showed this slide with a senior next to a young lady (talk about inter-generation!) The punch line was the lady's visually impaired. And with the Wii game set in the library, she played bowling for first time in 10 years.


Here's another one that just says "inter-generation" as well.

Promoting the service
They conduct outreach programmes (like this one to their Senior Center).

They use flyers.

There's a prominent wall to promote books that might attract baby boomers.

Here's a really nice idea -- a "Memory Case". Seniors contribute stuff from their past and showcase it in the library.

According to Alan, some seniors were so proud that they could do this so they got all their friends to come and told people about the library service.

They've gone into "Web 2.0 space", as in this blog with contributions from their users (like this post).


How they sought approval for the space
Alan explained that they incorporated the Senior Spaces proposal in their strategic plan, which was approved by their library board. They sought external funding in addition to what the board granted. They raised USD$30,000 but Alan emphasised that they were prepared to do the same with less money. They saved money by doing the space planning on their own.

Future plans
This includes more blogging activities, vodcasts, podcasts.

They plan to develop a presence in SecondLife. He sees their library's roles as teaching seniors technology (about YouTube, Web, Blogs).

Alan suggests that it's easy to create a Senior Spaces project in libraries. You just need a sign board to tell people the space exists, have the appropriate book display, and furniture.


In ending, he says, "I hope you begin to think about democratic changes that are coming".


Q&A
Someone asked, "Will users mind being labeled as 'Seniors'?"
Alan says this issue is not clear cut. There are some who embrace the term and some who just refuse to use the service because of the name (to their loss). Old Bridge PL do have criticisms about the term Senior Spaces but it was their advisory board who adopted the name. They kept it because the seniors themselves couldn't come up with any better alternatives.

"How do you define a Senior?"
The US official definition is 65 but there's no clear cut benchmark even in the US. Alan jokes that their library considers the 50 to 70 year olds as "young seniors" and the Above-90 as "elderly".

---

My thoughts
In Singapore, the Toa Payoh library has a Seniors Corner. It's the only one with a clear demarcated physical space.

In comparing that one with Old Bridge PL's, it obvious to me now that the success of the space is more than just having a physical presence.

In fact, the physical aspect of the space did not come up very strongly in Alan's presentation, and yet he shared a very compelling story of his project.

So it's really about having a whole suite of activities -- programmes, customer involvement and empowerment, online and offline publicity and activities.

The key success criteria seems to be a strong group of regular seniors who use the space. And who readily identify themselves with the space.

It might be a challenge for Singapore libraries to try this. My feeling is that most of our seniors don't want to be in the limelight. They are from a generation whose thinking is that they'd rather remain in the background of things. For instance, something like the Memory Case may be difficult to try.

But having said that, I feel if we don't make the attempt to try, we won't know. For all I know, it could be a wrong perception on my part.

Definitely something I'd explore with my colleagues when I get back.

Alan's paper can be downloaded, here (PDF, 88KB).

[Next: Part 7]

IFLA 2008 (part 5): Conference opening ceremony

[From Part 4]

Sunday 10 Aug, 9.30am. Quebec City Convention Center.

Huge venue.

I counted 4,096 seats.


The ceremony started with an ethnic dance by Canada's aboriginal people (or First Nation people). That was interesting. Though I felt it seemed repetitive (it was performed several times during the opening ceremony, and also during that evening's cultural performance).


This was an interesting performance!

I overheard someone say that it was a traditional song/ lullaby (unfortunately, no English explanation so I'm guessing here). What's interesting was their "singing", if it can be called that, was a mix of something guttural, melodic and rhythmic. Nice.
(Update: someone took a video and posted to YouTube. Web 2.0 comes to IFLA whether they like it or not, heh)

The Governor-General of Canada (equivalent to the President, I think) spoke. She was a very distinguished looking lady and sounded elegant as she delivered her speech (in French).


More speeches (this was Dr. Claudia Lux, President of IFLA). Nice of her to deliver her speech in in French, German, and English.




This is my fourth IFLA conference.

Overall impression of this one -- the performance was average.

Maybe it's because I don't speak or understand French. The performance included a narration in French. Then there was a poetry reading also in French.

I'm fine with that.

When in a different country, one should try to immerse in their culture.

But wished there were English subtitles or translations for the performances. I'm not sure how many other delegates spoke French.

In fairness, translation booths (manned by translators) and the receiver headsets were available.

French is one of the official language of IFLA. As per IFLA's practice, translators for the official languages were available for the opening ceremony.

But I didn't borrow a headset (queue was too long).


We all have an international audience
I thought for international audiences, the performance should involved more music and dances -- things that don't require language skills as a prerequisite to appreciate.

Which brings to mind: this is something libraries must consider as we upload content to YouTube. It's something I've mentioned before.

On the Internet, your audience is International.


You might as well market your library globally
Of course libraries should consider their primary audience first. If a French library puts up a video for its users, obviously they'd use French.

But it would be an excellent marketing tool if you provide English subtitles, or in the title or blurb, for a video in YouTube.


At least an English translation please
OK, I'm biased towards English. It's a first language in Singapore.

Also from my brief search on the Internet, English comes up tops.

While there's no definitive answer which is the most widely spoken language (see this, this, this and this), English is definitely in the top four or five.

Unless you want to try learning Mandarin.

I found English much easier since it's a phonetic-based language rather than a ideogram-based language like Mandarin.

But I digress...


Would I view the performance more favourably if I had English translation?
Can't tell.

Unless IFLA makes a video of its conference opening ceremonies, provide English subtitles or captions. Then I can give a comparison.

Come to think of it, IFLA ought to upload the opening ceremonies on YouTube.

It'll be excellent marketing material for IFLA.

With English subtitles and captions. Heh.

[Next: Part 6]

IFLA 2008 (part 4): Taking the public bus in Quebec City

I took the public bus from the conference venue back to my hotel.

Not wanting to repeat the "Vienna experience" mentioned here, I did my homework before coming to Quebec City.

I found out you had to buy a ticket before hand, or prepare exact change (I specially looked for a convenience store and bought them a day earlier).

On the bus, I observed how people pulled the rope or pressed the bell to signal for a stop (I did just that when I wanted to alight).

BUT what I didn't notice was how you had to PUSH the bus door from the inside to open!

(Darn it! I didn't know that.)

There I was standing at the steps. The driver and other passengers must have wondered why I'm not getting down. The bus moved on. I missed my intended stop.

Luckily at the next stop two passengers wanted to get down. That's how I learned about the need to push the door from the inside.

Sigh.

What's with me and buses?

(To think that I was feeling smug about knowing what to when taking the Quebec public bus).

Heh.

[see: Part 3; Part 5]