Tim Quinn and his company Kindleman have been generously providing pro-bono web development support to The Footpath Library since 2010. Tim spent a bit of time explaining why Kindleman feels a strong connection to the work of The Footpath Library and how music played on an old Nokia phone can be truly beautiful.
Why did you get involved with The Footpath Library?
We met Sarah and Shane at Sydney University in 2010 where we were both presenting to a group of students. After hearing their presentation, we immediately knew we wanted to work with them – so we offered to help right there while Sarah was rushing for the airport. We’ve been working together since.
The people from The Footpath Library are on the ground week-after-week giving underprivileged people the opportunity to learn and to dream – human needs that we believe are the springboards for a full life. We wanted to be part of that.
Do you have a highlight or greatest achievement of working with The Footpath Library?
I’d like to say it was something I did, but it was standing on the street listening to a musical composition by a man who lived on the street. He’d made it on his old laptop and loaded it on his old Nokia. He played it just for me and it was beautiful.
Have you learnt anything new about homelessness since being involved with The Footpath Library?
That hopes and dreams and aspirations and achievements are found everywhere that you find a human being.
Why do you think providing books to homeless people matters?
One book can probably give a homeless person a more enjoyable evening. That’s important. A second book might give him an idea. That’s important.
The fifth might give him hope. That’s important.
The tenth might inspire action. That’s important.
And then the 15th might be read in his own bed. And I think that’s important.
Every book I read makes a difference to my own life, and I hope it’s the same for everyone.
What do you think makes The Footpath Library successful?
It’s admirable how The Footpath Library has grown and flourished. I think it’s the simplicity and focus of the vision that makes it so powerful and the passion and determination of it’s people that make big things happen. Kindleman are proud to be a small part of that.
What are you reading at the moment?
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and Just Enough Research by Erika Hall.
Okay, I have to ask. Your company is called Kindleman, so are you Kindle or a book kind of a guy?
I read fiction on a Kindle and non-fiction old-school. Don’t know why, but the percentage bar isn’t as satisfying as a worn out bookmark.
