“People forge bonds in places that have healthy social infrastructures—not because they set out to build community, but because when people engage in sustained, recurrent interaction, particularly while doing things they enjoy, relationships inevitably grow.” – Eric Klinenberg

Exploring New Models of Library Services has ignited a new curiosity in research for me. In addition to resources such as the Human Library (as mentioned in my last post), there are wonderful ways to engage and connect community members to each other outside traditional library settings. This type of service, in essence, encourages those seeking human connections to actually go outside their comfort zones and join in the conversations with others. However, what if someone cannot physically visit a library or other locations to connect with others? Senior citizens and individuals with disabilities or mobility issues may not be able to frequent these places, leading them to miss out on valuable resources and human interactions.

This is a huge issue, considering that in 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness an epidemic. The World Health Organization has also identified loneliness as a global health issue. Loneliness can dramatically affect physical and mental health issues and increase the risk of premature death by 26% (Our epidemic et al., 2023). “Social connection is a fundamental human need, as essential to survival as food, water, and shelter,” and yet half of American adults have reported experiencing loneliness (Our epidemic et al., 2023).

Man, apologies for the downer tone of this post so far, but I had to go into detail about the issue of loneliness to highlight my next, and much more positive, note.

Libraries are sanctuaries; they are one of the only places that truly welcome individuals from all walks of life (there are some unfortunate outliers, but for the most part, this is true). The many resources, services, and outreach programs libraries produce to combat issues affecting their communities are inspiring, such as the Anythink program offered through all the libraries in Adam County, Colorado. My favorite community outreach service they produced is bringing awareness of the resources provided directly to the doorsteps of their community members, making all members, current or new residents to this area, aware of what their local library branch offers. Although brief, it is a simple, straightforward approach that includes a social connection component that can be highly effective. But one of the greatest examples I’ve seen that can aid in loneliness indirectly but in a profound way is the “Home Library Service,” primarily utilized by U.K. libraries.

A few examples are the Kent Libraries and Northern Beaches Libraries, which have adopted the Home Library Service in their branches. This service is genius in its simplicity; a librarian, library staff member, or volunteers connect with community members, figure out their needs (do they want to borrow books or have tech issues), and bring desired materials to that patron’s doorstep. Now, the big difference here is that it is not a delivery service; it is rather an opportunity to connect and foster a relationship with that person, where each interaction the librarian or volunteer has with their assigned patron is another opportunity to learn from each other. The delivered books or materials are simply an ice-breaker to start a conversation.

I love this concept so much, and it makes me feel grateful that these types of services exist! It is heartbreaking to know so many people are suffering from loneliness, a subject that is not easily spoken about, and yet these types of services exist and thrive to combat this issue.

Now, the Home Library Service seems successful in smaller communities, so I wonder how this will look in major cities in the United States. How would a program like the Home Library service look like in your local branch library? Would it be an impossible thing to do? Or maybe you have seen or heard of similar services that have worked? Let me know your thoughts.

References:

It’s challenging to make a convincing argument that incorporating the arts into a library setting could have negative impacts. By providing a platform for local artists and encouraging participation, libraries have become vibrant hubs of culture and creativity, further solidifying their role as essential in their communities.

The purpose of including the arts in a library setting is worth exploring, particularly the type of art commonly featured in these spaces. One predominant form is installation art, which can exist both in private and public spaces. However, I will focus on art installations that exist in public areas and can be “activated” by entering the space they occupy or, in some cases, physically engaging with them.

Installation Shot of the Reading Nest by Mark Reigelman.

Take, for example, the 2013 Reading Nest art installation as part of the See Also program by the Cleveland Public Library. This temporary installation was created by Mark Reigelman, who sought to encourage community engagement and reading. The structure invites the public to enter and immerse themselves in a comfortable, open-air environment surrounded by a wood nest-like structure. A quirky but meaningful art installation that creates a safe place to explore and feel connected to something literally bigger than you. This enhances the aesthetic appeal of the library, fosters a sense of community (social connections with others experiencing the artwork with you), promotes awareness of the library and its resources (a big nest thing in front of a library? Who wouldn’t be interested in it?), and ultimately encourages a love for the arts as well an appreciation of their local library among visitors.

Check out this Video of Mark Reigelman’s process in creating this installation.

In the context of installation art and libraries, something magical occurs when these installations are introduced into spaces where access to information is already abundant. Traditionally, art housed in museums is often kept at a distance from the public—literally placed at arm’s length behind barriers, security guards, and protective glass. While this is understandable, museums have a sterile quality that can be hard to overlook due to this physical separation from the artwork.

Check out this Hyperallergic article: Why Libraries Have a Public Spirit That Most Museums Lack by Laura Raicovich. Raicovich argues that libraries are designed to be welcoming spaces, encouraging interaction and engagement. They provide a tactile experience, especially through their book collections, inviting visitors to touch and explore materials firsthand. This accessibility fosters a connection with knowledge that is often lacking in a museum setting.

Engaging with installation art allows libraries to further enhance this sense of community and creativity. By integrating various artistic expressions, libraries can create inviting environments that promote learning and curiosity, effectively bridging the gap between users and library resources. In other words, libraries that embrace creative outlets to enrich the experiences of their users stay relevant.

Also, museums are not as easy to visit compared to libraries. For instance, while growing up in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County, I needed to have some financial means to commute to a museum and back. I didn’t visit my first museum until I was 16 (via a school field trip), which isn’t ideal because I believe children should be exposed to as much art as possible and as early as possible. Public libraries, on the other hand, can serve as mini art hubs for communities that lack the resources to visit museums. They offer a welcoming space where individuals can explore art, literature, and educational programs without the financial burden. For those who may not have the means to travel to a museum, libraries provide invaluable opportunities to engage with art and culture.

Writing this reflection has made me realize that accessibility is truly foundational for one’s interaction with the world. Libraries bridge the gaps between the impossible and the possible. Moreover, access to art is indispensable; it enriches our lives, fuels creativity, and offers various perspectives that shape our understanding of the broader world.

Going through this module on Hyperlinked Communities reminded me that we’re not alone in the world. I don’t know, I think we get caught up in the daily grind of life and forget to look up once in a while to see the bigger picture. Libraries are just a few places in the wild that can aid in breaking up the mundane by reminding us that we are part of a larger community living the same grind.

For example, my local library offers a Community Ofrenda, or altar, during the week leading up to the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead. Community members can honor their past relatives by donating an image or object to the Ofrenda. Allowing for a shared experience of grief and love for everyone involved. No additional funding needs to be accounted for such a project; it is a simple community outreach resource that makes the lives of the community served a bit easier. The simple act of contributing one’s own history in a public and safe way is amazingly simple and quite a beautiful way to engage with others.

The following image is not from my local library but instead from another library in the LAPL system, but it’s the same concept.

Image taken from the Atwater Village Branch Library Instagram. The sign at the bottom right corner states: Join us in honoring loved ones who have passed. Bring a photograph of a loved one to add to our Community Ofrenda.

Speaking of beautiful ways to engage with others, I have to mention the Human Library. The ability to check out a “human book,” ask difficult questions, and have difficult conversations about whatever topic that person brings to the table is mind-blowing! It’s a great resource for those who suffer from anxiety, too. As someone who has dealt with anxiety for most of my life, a resource like the Human Library, to speak with someone who just gets it would be beyond beneficial.

Other than geeking out on community outreach resources, I also wanted to delve a bit further into the significance of applying these resources in my future career. The further I go through my journey here at SJSU, the clearer the career path I want to take becomes. As I mentioned in my introduction, I’m interested in both art librarianship and special collections. But more and more, I’m leaning towards an art librarianship in an academic setting. As a Mexican-American woman earning an MLIS degree, I’m more than aware that I’m part of the minority in this field. So, I believe representation of diverse voices is essential within libraries because it is one of the best ways to aid in engagement with the communities they serve.

As a visual art student in the 2010s whose art practice dealt with difficult subjects such as the female body in relation to race and fat body politics, I was not exposed to enough diverse literature or resources that aided my research. In retrospect, I had no mentor figure, such as an instructor, administrator, or even a librarian, who looked like me. In addition, as a student, creating visual content on, for example, fat politics without many modern literary or visual references to be inspired by (I’ve seen enough Rubenisque figures in my lifetime!) was not only frustrating but lonely.

So, “…how can we connect with our users, find ways to be present in their lives, and let them know what we can do for them? What little things can we do?” (Stephans, 2016). Prioritizing diversity and inclusion is the bare minimum that can be done for library users today. Simply having a book section in my school’s library or a workshop that provided information on authors of color who write about female body politics would have sufficed! Making sure there is space for everyone is the essence of community engagement. And as a future information professional, I don’t want anyone in the community I serve to ever feel alone in their pursuit of knowledge, especially those from diverse backgrounds.

References

Stephens, M. (2016). Reaching All Users. In The Heart of Librarianship: Attentive, Positive, and Purposeful Change (p. 41). University of Chicago Press