Image retrieved from https://www.bike-summer.org/
This week’s module New Models focuses on library models that break free of traditional frameworks. A Scandinavian term we’ve been introduced to is Hygge, which “can be defined as the art of building sanctuary and community, of paying attention to what makes us feel alive. A feeling of belonging to the moment and celebrating everyday” (Stephens, 2019). Hygge can be in the form of library programs that bring people together like storytimes, open mikes and so much more. When I reflect on Hygge and when I’ve felt this sense of community, it reminds me of when I used to live in Portland, OR.
When I lived in Portland, during the summer months I would participate in Bike Summer which is commonly referred to as Petalpalooza. Shift2Bikes is a non-profit organization that runs this summer festival which is community-focused (Shift2Bikes, n.d.). Petalpalooza is a summer long bike festival where participants join scheduled themed bike rides. Anyone can host a ride and anyone can participate. There are several bike rides a day, happening all over the city. These bike rides have themes like kids unicorn costumes, Missy Elliot, book lovers rides and so much more. In 2017, when I first began participating in Petalpalooza, I was not a confident bike rider and hadn’t ridden a bike since I was a kid. I actually went to a Walmart and bought my first adult bike the day of my first ride to participate. It was a costume themed ride, so my friend and I dressed up as princess butterflies and joined the ride (see image below). I remember being nervous about riding in a large group and wondering if I would be able to keep up. There was a point when I was struggling to stay with the group and I heard another participant chanting “go butterfly go! You got this!” This was a moment when I felt welcomed in this community and felt the support of the other participants. Now, as an avid bike rider years later, I fondly remember this ride as the moment I got back into bike riding as an adult.
My friend Chancy (left), Me (right).
What made me think of Petalpalooza in relation to Hygge was a social media post about a month ago about a Snail Mail Ride. I no longer live in PDX (Portland) but still follow many of the communities I used to participate in like Petalpalooza. In this Snail Mail Ride that happened last month participants brought stationary, cards and stamps to a park to write letters with others then biked to a post office to mail them together. This gives me the same warm feeling that a community gathering in colder months might bring. The Snail Mail Ride is a wholesome activity for all ages to participate in and go together.
Image retrieved from https://www.shift2bikes.org/calendar/event-21210
Even though Petalpalooza is outside of the library space, I think that it encompasses Hygge. As information professionals we can draw inspiration from this sort of community run event. This semester I am focusing on the participatory library where libraries are engaging their communities and integrate them into change. I wonder if libraries can facilitate programs like this. Maybe patrons write letters at the library then ride their bikes to the post office together. If patrons only want to write letters then great, join that portion and opt out of the bike ride. I love the idea of involving community members as leaders within these programs. As seen in Petalpalooza, community members are ride leaders in these scheduled bike rides. This sort of programming supports community engagement with each other, supports healthy activity like bike riding and can inspire community members to participate further with the library.
References
Shift2Bikes (n.d.). Bike Summer. Shift2Bikes. Retrieved from https://www.shift2bikes.org/
Stephens, M. (2019). The Wholehearted Librarian. American Library Association.