The topic I have personally felt as the most important from the first four course sections is the concept as Public Libraries as Public Spaces first and foremost. This is because I planned to work in a public library after getting my master’s degree. As our readings have demonstrated this is the idea that as technology has changed libraries must adapt to not just be storage chambers for physical books, but as San Fransisco public libraries have been focusing on, “commitment to social connection and serving its community, and embrace flexibility and accessibility” (O’Brien, 2019). This is because in the modern age books can’t compete with the vast, easily accessible data available online. Instead by creating a public space libraries can fill a role nothing else can at the moment, a free public area for communities to thrive.

   I believe shifting libraries to be public spaces instead of just homes for books is a useful direction to take libraries as it can be a place for communities to stay in touch as the digital age is making people disconnect from reality. As O’Brien’s article on San Francisco’s public libraries went on to state, “Libraries are a rare exception to commercial spaces. The more events and community engagement opportunities they hold, the better the community is served” (O’Brien, 2019). This is in reference to how most spaces have become limited to paying customers such as cafes, but libraries can break boundaries to invite new friendships and experiences. It allows poor individuals and those with special needs to be better serviced with more opportunities as well as accessibility is a key principle of public libraries. It helps people form new communities as the library can accommodate a wide diversity of needs, for example as the article states if libraries become community hubs for activities like art exhibits it can be a place of learning as well as fun. Libraries offering other ways to learn or participate in a group such as computer or engineering classes can also benefit people’s personal skills or resumes. This is a developing idea being discussed across the industry, but it is agreed that libraries must innovate to be more than just a space with books. As Jakob Laerkes wrote in his article that was linked on the module section libraries need to empower, create unique experiences, drive innovation, and have patrons get involved with projects (2016). This way it’s not just about learning, but a place of culture that can lead the way towards a happier, wiser future.

When I was first planning to take the master’s program I had some friends tell me I shouldn’t try to work in a library because the pay is low or because libraries are going to disappear. However that is misunderstanding the purpose of libraries at least in the modern day. As has been shown the idea to turn libraries into public spaces exists as a way to keep communities connected as well as drive for a better future and this is something I can enact personally. It can be as simple as one author  wrote in The New York Times about opening a cafe area for people to rest or as complex as the library having, “a second rooftop lined with planters where community members could learn to cultivate vegetables and flowers” (Jacob, 2022). This does require some work to set up, but the librarian might not have to lead these instructions. It encourages the community to gather to support a shared effort that can encourage positive feelings shared amongst new friends that can always meet in a safe place free of charge. I personally would struggle to do the vegetable garden at the moment, but by learning more I could later teach others. Alternatively of course I could focus my efforts on a skill I have that I could share with the community such as teaching people how to sew while offering needles, thread, or other material to make small crafts. This strays from the traditional form of knowledge stored in books to a sort of skill set people aren’t taught in school anymore. That doesn’t mean the librarian needs to teach all the classes as mentioned, but they can help innate these communities so people can meet others which is becoming more complicated as old spaces to gather have been eroded over time as everything has turned into areas for profit and work.

There are multiple TEDx Talk videos about this topic on Youtube which discussed different libraries’ approaches to handling the issue of modernizing into what amounts to town squares. As Shamichael Hallman pointed out in my favorite video of the bunch that libraries have the incredible ability to connect people. He said in when speculating on human nature that, “we are in fact isolating ourselves” (2020) in our modern world, which is only overcome with repeated exposure and interaction with strangers. His video focused on libraries as bridges where different religious, ethnic, or cultural groups could interact to get closer. It can help break down barriers and prejudices. His hope is that by re-imagining the ‘civic commons’ we can improve the cohesion of the communities around the libraries. He believes, and I agree, that by trying to understand local needs through directly asking what people want the librarians can improve the diverse practices people can engage in with a vast array of people. He still wants to offer private areas to study, but by opening up more space for more people to directly address what the community wants real life social connections can be improved. I think this is important because self esteem, empathy, and understanding are best fostered face to face. I will attach the video below where he discusses his ideas for designing a public library he is involved with below:

The important part that I want to take away from all the research I’ve gone through is that libraries aren’t dying. They are changing, they should try to reach out to their communities to help form bounds. They can be useful tools to overcome barriers, expand resumes, and put a smile on the face of someone else. It’s not just about books, of course people like books, it offers a nostalgic comfort. That isn’t all a library is though, because in the modern era people’s needs are changing. The best thing to do is adapt to the changing needs so I should try to offer that. I am learning a lot of skills to help develop a website so I can help expand a libraries online reach to get more people to know about the events taking place in person since lives aren’t only online. Then I can help to allow people to meet and form new groups as there are few other public places someone can comfortably spend time without spending money. Not everyone has the proper resources or the feeling of safety to go to other places so I hope libraries can become that safe space. It’s why I wanted to work in a library originally, not because I wanted to read but because I was comfortable there. In reality I just went to a library to play board games with my brother or listen to story time as a child. It’d be wonderful if those kinds of traditions can be fostered because I think people would be happy to have a place to come to learn or make friends whenever they feel they are lonely.

References-

Ahmed, I. (2020). The White Office [Photograph]. Behance. https://www.behance.net/gallery/105871049/The-White-Office?tracking_source=search_projects|public+space&l=77

Jacob, K. (2022, April 21). Why Libraries May Never Stop Being People Places. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/21/style/libraries-outdoor-public-space.html

Laerkes, J. (2016, March 29). The four spaces of the public library. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. https://blogs.ifla.org/public-libraries/2016/03/29/the-four-spaces-of-the-public-library/

Tedx Talks. (2020, March 17). Reimagining the Public Library to Reconnect the Community | Shamichael Hallman | TEDxMemphis [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI2CLgq3LLk

O’Brien, C. (2019, June 24). How San Francisco’s public libraries are embracing their changing role. Shareable. https://www.shareable.net/how-san-francisco-public-libraries-are-embracing-their-changing-role/