STAFFROOM: An election is definitely in the air. We don't need Charlie Bird to tell us. The Department of Education and Science is doing a very good job of heralding its advent. Via An Post.

Minister Woods is on the junk mail trail. He must have ensured the demise of a medium-sized forest in ensuring that we received the mission statement of his Department - in full, high-quality colour with many times more pixels than words.

We reel in shock at the cost to the National Purse for its preparation, production and distribution. In a system where we hold a bring-and-buy to cover the cost of photo-copying paper, page after page of high-density colour which, in reality, is little more than election fodder, is totally alien to us.

But the inane was replaced by the truly bizarre last week. An earnest heart-felt plea for help from our Minister. Help him out, spread the word, aid his altruism. Reading is important, help him foster it.

Okay, but there's a sense of preaching to the converted here - we're teachers remember. This is what we do.

Minister Woods is announcing free library membership for all school-going children. To promote literacy. To get 'em reading. And all for nothing. We are to hand out a (full-colour) leaflet to every child in our school.

Library membership has been free for as long as anyone will admit to remembering. Just another election gimmick, we decide.