The Community Mesh

Can we talk about how far we have gone when it comes to technology and virtual environments? Being an avid gamer growing up, spending more time inside than outside, I have always known that video games and virtual worlds would become a central part of everyone’s lives. Going back to even movies about virtual reality, such as Tron for example, we knew that the time spent in parts of our lives in virtual reality would become, well, reality. In module 6, I read about Metaverse and Minecraft’s Uncensored Library. I have spent countless hours playing Minecraft and not once have I thought about it being used the way it has been used by the Reporters without Borders organization. Giving countries with strict press laws and regulations access to books and other sources that would otherwise be banned is genius, to say the least. I am glad that not only young people are getting a use out of Minecraft, but also reporters and those wanting to have access to information that they might otherwise not be able to have access to.

Another idea that has been getting bigger recently is the idea of Metaverse. Personally, I have only used a VR headset once in my life, and it was to play a video game. Even though I haven’t had much experience with VR, as a gamer I can see how it would catch people’s attention, even if they are not video game players themselves. Having other VR platforms that are not video game based, such as Spatial, Engage, and Mozilla Hubs, is such a great advancement to VR and technology. I have heard about some major libraries having VR tours available to those visiting their websites wanting to get a better understanding of what the library looks like and what it has to offer. Libraries such as Cupertino Library, Gilroy Library, and Los Altos Library, allow patrons to visit their websites to take 360-degree tours in and around their buildings. This service allows those that might not be able to visit different libraries the chance to understand what libraries have to offer and what they should expect if they ever were to get the chance to visit such libraries. As technology advances, so too will the availability and creativity of VR and what it will provide for us. We have just broken through to the things that VR has to offer, and I am excited to see what else is in store for us.

360-degree New York Public Library Tours

References:

360-degree New York Public Library Tours. From Youtube, by Urbanist, 2017. Copyright 2017 by Urbanist.

Virtual Library Tours. (n.d.). Retrieved July 8, 2026, from Santa Clare County Library District: https://sccld.org/virtual-tours/#ca-360

In the modern day of libraries, there are increases in the need to reach out to as much people as possible. Whether this is with programs, resources, books, etc., libraries are finding themselves more creative than ever before. I am sure most of us have heard of a book fair or book club, but today we are talking about Bookmobiles!

Bookmobiles have become more popular in the world of libraries and sharing stories in general. These bookmobiles are a way for the library to engage with the community in other ways than programs. Sometimes libraries are only located in the center of town or in major cities, so those community members that are outside of town or the city centers can have a way to still enjoy what the library has to offer: books! In Zealand, Denmark, a bookmobile stops 25 times around the municipality of Roskilde every week. “According to Statistics Denmark, the use of public libraries is strongly dependent on how far citizens live from their nearest library” (Lauersen 2025). Bookmobiles are more than just bringing books to people, it also gives community members a chance to chat with each other, speak to library staff, and learn about what their local libraries have to offer without having to take a trip to the library.

As libraries are greatly interested in bringing free and equal access to information, education, and cultural activities, bookmobiles are a great avenue of spreading information. In the context of the bookmobile of Roskilde, they have been offering mobile library services and a bookmobile to their municipality since 1947.

As technology has advanced, and become more available, especially to younger people, “the increasing use of social media is linked to less leisure reading and weaker attention spans” (2025). According to the international PIAAC study, one in five adults in Denmark have low literacy skills. Reading has lots of advantages, including having an increased level of literacy skills. These advantages include sharpening our abilities to concentrate, immerse ourselves into something, other than our screens, and has a beneficial effect on our mental health.

As public libraries, and even academic libraries, are trying to find more ways of bringing their communities together, bookmobiles should be on the radar. Even if the community members don’t participate in the bookmobiles as they come around town, the bookmobiles serve as a reminder that the community library is trying its best to involve and connect their community to each other.

Figure 1

References

Hansen, S. R., Hansen, T. I., & Pettersson, M. (2021). Children’s and Young People’s Reading 2021: English Summary.

Hansen, S. R., Hansen, T. I., & Pettersson, M. (2021). Bookmobile in Roskilde Municipality. [Photograph]. The Library Lab. The necessary nearness – an ode to bookmobiles – The Library Lab

Lauersen, C. (2025, February 5). The necessary nearness – an ode to bookmobiles. Retrieved from The Library Lab: https://christianlauersen.net/2025/02/05/the-necessary-nearness-and-ode-to-bookmobiles/

The first thing that comes to mind when people think of the library are aisles and aisles of books. Of course, back then having physical books was the way to find information whenever you needed it. In today’s world, as technology has evolved and decreased the need for physical information, such as books, magazines, maps, etc., you would think that the aisles of books would decrease as well. So why haven’t they? When you go to your public library or any library on campus, there are still hundreds upon hundreds of physical books. The reason may be simpler than you think.

The concept of Third Places

Libraries, and other physical locations such as restaurants, cafes, and concert halls, are considered as Third Places. This term was first coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in 1989 in his book, The Great Good Place. Oldenburg describes the Third Place as “a space where people meet to unmind, discuss, and talk about things that matter to them, their neighborhood, and their community” (Leferink 2018). It is coined the Third Place because it is a space that is distinct from both the work environment and the domestic space of home and family life. Third Places are about sociability and the need for someone to find their identity rather than about isolation. As mentioned earlier, technology is getting rid of the need for physical information needs but yet, people still want books to be present at libraries.

Contact Day

In 2017, on Dutch Contact Day, staff at the library of Free University of Amsterdam were planning to renovate their library. With this renovation in mind, they allowed for suggestions from students and staff about what the new library could look like. The number one suggestion that students made for the renovation? They wanted physical books around them. The want for physical books was more than just for the information they provided but because they provided the atmosphere and comfort that students liked. During Contact Day, an environmental psychologist, Joren van Dijk, helped attendees explore and address this topic. During his research, he explained the importance of physical space and how the library was one of those places that people liked to gather to meet, learn, and engage with each other.

Improving the library experience

Leferink talks about three things that libraries can do to improve their spaces for patrons. These three things include: involving end users in the design, bringing the outdoors in, and offering a range of different spaces. The end users, or those who benefit from the programs and services offered at the library, should be included in big decision making when it comes to library environment. Including these suggestions from library patrons can allow for the library to better respond to diverse needs and wishes. “Participation in the design process can also increase the involvement of end users at the library; the library transitions from a library to their library” (Leferink 2018). Introducing nature to the library has great impact to people. Research shows that seeing or experiencing nature results in “increased focus, cognitive flexibility and creativity” (Kent 2023).  If more library patrons are better concentrated, they will be more willing to spend more time at the library. As libraries offer many services to many people, there is always going to be differences in how library patrons like to enjoy their services. The library needs to be able to offer spaces for those that like to meet with others and engage. It also needs to offer spaces for those that enjoy more quiet spaces for studying and reading. As a Third Place, the library needs to be able to offer services and locations for a multitude of its patrons needs and wants if it wants to succeed.

References

Kent, J. T. (2023, December 5). Your brain on nature: how exposure to natural environments heals, calms and cures. Retrieved from Nevada Today: https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2023/atp-nature-and-the-brain

Leferink, S. (2018, January 24). To keep people happy…keep some books. Retrieved from Next.

Oldenburg, R. (1989). The great good place: cafes, coffee shops, community centers, beauty parlors, general stores, bars, hangouts, and how they get you through the day. New York: Paragon House.

Hello all.

My name is Anthony Moreno and I am currently residing in Southern California (about 30 minutes from Disneyland!). I chose this course because I wanted learn all about the emerging trends that are happening in information science today and hopefully learn how to keep up with the ever-evolving world of information science. I am excited to learn all about the new trends and technology that can be used in my future career. As of now, I want to work as a reference librarian, preferably in an academic setting. I currently am working at a public library that allows me to work in different areas of a library, including reference, circulation, reshelving books, and kid, adult, and teen programs.

I look forward to meeting all of you and reading your posts and what kind of interests you may have! It is very nice to meet you!

Thank you,

Anthony Moreno