Assignment X- The Third Place?

I have been thinking about the role of the library in an ever growing virtual world, as a place of true human connection and community. I know many public perceptions of libraries stem from old stereotypes, or visions of the old and crass cardigan-wearing librarian striving for quiet. Something stood out to me in relation to this in the lecture on Participatory Service, a broad topic that I think should influence and relate to every successful librarian, that “libraries create and facilitate connections.”. This quote stuck with me, and reminded me of an article I stumbled across when researching a project for a different class, about libraries being the “third space”, which according to White and Martel, who created a theoretical framework of third spaces, means a place outside of work and home that people can use to connect and socialize, and learn.

This is an incredibly important idea to maintain as technology progresses, as tools that people had 5 years ago become outdated faster, they need support and guidance. Libraries are uniquely equipped to handle this challenge, as they come preset with the basic tenants of a third place, and as described by Jane Cowell in her Medium post “If You Feel Lonely or Isolated, Your Local Library can be the “Third Place” in Your Life”, where she explains of public libraries specifically are the perfect third place. She points to the fact that “They are levelers; that is, there is a sense that social status does not matter in this space”- meaning that no matter who you are, what you know, or what has impacted you in your life, you can find help and community here. Libraries are a place of equal standing because they have to be- when dealing with diverse communities, it is without a doubt that people who come from different walks of life will need to be treated just the same as everyone else, and with a deep compassion in some cases. She furthers this idea by stating that “Inclusivity reinforces the idea that the library is a space for everyone, contributing to a sense of belonging for all.”

A great example of this type of thinking applied to modern libraries would be at the Creekview High School in Georgia, where they have adapted in include technology training into school library curriculum, reaching an audience in ways not normally expected by a school library, encouraging kids to use the technology they already have to connect and learn as a tool and asset. This idea is encapsulated in a TED talk by Maarya Rehman, where she argues for libraries to be well-funded and well-utilized in communities, for all these reasons and more. Inclusive and flexible libraries will have the best community building and create well-equipped members of the community by encouraging technology use, socialization, and simply, just a physical place to go that you can connect and learn, for free.

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