The library is emerging as a hangout for people of many different communities to socialize and network. This is especially true in the 2020s post Covid-19 world, that has changed the way most people socialize and network. The library is a place to connect with others, but it is far less intimidating than a dance club, bar or professional organization. It is a place where people are more likely to feel safe and comfortable. In fact, libraries tend to be very calm and gentle environments, which foster both wellness and community connection. Most modern libraries also strive to be judgment free zones and support diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB), which create a safe space for people to connect with others.
In the article, ‘Free, non-judgemental, accessible’: How your local library is a sanctuary of health and wellness, by Tareq Nurul Hasan, scenarios are described where libraries serve as a sanctuary and a catalyst for making unique connections. Examples range from the library serving as a place to find lost family members to being a place to alleviate loneliness. Hasan cites the webpage, Libraries Chane Lives as a place where one can read inspiring stories about connections like this (https://librarieschangelives.org.au/). The key point made by Hasan about libraries is libraries are home to more than just books, libraries are safe spaces can help people fight loneliness and find new friends and a recent survey shows 92 per cent of the people think of libraries as a safe place (Hasan, 2022).
On the website, Libraries Change Lives, as suggested by Hasan, there are countless stories and information about how this library campaign in Victoria, Australia serves various communities with an emphasis on creating spaces that foster health and wellbeing. In addition to supporting health and wellness, the campaign also supports culture and creativity within information community spaces. The overall goal of this program is to provide inclusive and well-designed spaces to bring various information communities together at libraries in Victoria (https://librarieschangelives.org.au/learn-more/).
To facilitate connections within these communities, it is important to have a model for spaces that serve as a place for these connections. The University of Copenhagen has developed a 4 Spaces Model, which helps to facilitate these connections and provide guidance. These 4 spaces are: the inspiration space, the learning space, the meeting space and the performative space. The model has been created on the basis of the researchers’ visits to libraries and interviews with library managers in Denmark, Norway and the USA, among other countries. (Skot-Hansen, 2017). Having spaces in the library that are designed to enhance well-being and creativity, the library becomes the hangout that people use to connect with others and network.
References:
Hasan, T. N. (2022, October 22). “free, non-judgemental, accessible”: How your local library is a sanctuary of health and Wellness. SBS Language. https://www.sbs.com.au/language/bangla/en/article/free-nonjudgmental-and-accessible-how-your-local-library-is-a-sanctuary-of-health-and-wellness/t15blzsi9
Skot-Hansen, D. (2016, August 15). Library development: From collection to connection. https://humanities.ku.dk/collaboration/impact/library-development/
Libraries change lives campaign. Libraries Change Lives. (2020, January 20). https://librarieschangelives.org.au/