Libraries Full Circle: The Cross Section of Community, the Public Sphere and Third Place

 Danielle Meininger

Wood, E. (2021). Libraries full circle; The cross section of community, the public sphere and third place. Public Library Quarterly, 40(2), 144-166. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2020.1737491

Summary

Emma Wood, associate librarian at UMass Law Library draws on her experience as both an academic and public librarian as well as foundational work on the public sphere and concept of third place to make the argument that today's libraries are better poised than ever to imbue their communities with the gift of space, conversation and community. Although recently many libraries have focused on the growth of their digital resources and virtual interactions Wood feels that the history of libraries is rooted in the salons and coffeehouses of 17th century Europe where diverse groups of citizens gathered to discuss ideas. Libraries being open to all people and curators of knowledge for the public good are natural gathering places that enhance the livability and function of the communities they are placed in and are not simply "warehouses for books"

Further on the discussion moves on to a hot issue to date of library neutrality in which Wood convincingly argues that neutrality is in the co-existence of many freely competing ideas and information. The social responsibility of the library consists of a sphere "of shared space, shared ideas and physical collections each encouraging the other (p.151)." This argument supports her final thesis of the library as third place, ie. not home and not work but another valuable space people feel comfortable in precisely because everyone is accepted and all ideas can mingle freely. This doesn't guarantee any particular success for libraries in general but serves as a guide to focus efforts to connect in real time and place with library visitors and those who may not realize the library can be a vibrant and accepting place in world of divisiveness and isolation. 

Evaluation

This article really helped to clarify a few thoughts for me on my own personal philosophy of the library. Working in public libraries I have seen the vast variety of reasons people visit the library and marveled at my co-workers abilities to serve them all with patience and fortitude. This past year as my library was shut down I saw the pain it caused potential patrons and witnessed their actual tears as we re-opened our doors. I think Emma Wood develops her thesis with interesting background on gathering places and information dissemination of the past, but she truly hits her stride as she ropes in the concept of the interconnectedness of collections, service and programming and providing a physical space to hear and see people without expectation. That is the libraries true value and one that cannot simply be replaced by the internet or any other type of service.