Assignment X: Library 2.0 and Third Places

I have decided to explore the ideas of Library 2.0 and participatory service in libraries. Part of the reason these themes stood out to me in particular was because of what Library 2.0 is at its core.

Change that is constant and purposeful – that is implemented by empowering library users through participatory library driven services.

By creating a library by people and for the people that it serves, libraries will be able to implement meaningful changes that will allows for libraries to adapt, evolve, and withstand the test of time rather than fighting against it.

To provide some context about why this particular idea resonated so deeply with me I would like to discuss the concept of “third places”.

Third places are physical spaces where people are able to go and exist beyond the context of work/school and home.

In recent years, we already began to see a decline in third places that are not barred by cost or age limitations. Groups who are unable to enter these spaces to these imposed barriers, find themselves unable to connect with community spaces and limited to spaces of home and work or school. After the the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, many of these spaces disappeared entirely and with them senses of human connection and community. While technology has played a huge part in keeping people “connected” in a digital sense, it is unable to completely replace the need for real human interaction.

So what do we do? How do we rebuild and create these spaces again? 

This is where libraries come into play and where Library 2.0 can be utilized to rebuild this culture of third places and connect communities within themselves and then to others.

I see the library as a space for communities to grow and thrive.

Creating library services and programming that is based on the needs of the community the library serves through participatory service was always at the core of what I wanted to pursue in librarianship, I just lacked the name for it. I strongly believe that the basis for a brighter future and a strong, resilient community is through educational access and community. Library 2.0 can help me shape the vision that I have in pursuing librarianship in a manner that focuses more on the human and community aspects of being a librarian.

I just recently started working in a public library setting and I am loving being immersed in a library that acts as a community center and space for the city I am in.

Being in the library also opened my eyes to the challenges that libraries face when it comes to balancing the programming and resources that we WANT to provide for our patrons vs what we are actual able to provide due to barriers such as budget and staffing.

In spite of the challenges, I do see the leadership within my library trying to implement Library 2.0 ideologies, particularly through participatory service and working with patrons and staff to see what programming can be improved.

I am eager to continuing exploring these themes and integrating them into what being a librarian means to me.

The future is bright, human, and full of heart.

References 

Stephens, M. T. (2019). Wholehearted librarianship: Finding hope, inspiration, and balance. ALA Editions.