This concept is the "third space" -- a social space other than work and home where people can congregate, socialize, and relax. Parks and libraries are some of the only remaining spaces in capitalism where people can be humans without paying for the privilege to exist by the minute.
True, that is what the concept has become. But we need to remember that "third place" originally ment places of business like pubs, cafés, barbershops etc.
Modern cities do need the kind of places you ment - not more malls or apple stores (think I read that it's a new trend to have those resemble places you can casually chill so they can casually sell you their stuff).
Americans reinventing coffee houses that aren't Starbucks be like:
You gotta pay to be at a coffee house. And sure, coffee isn't terribly expensive and most places won't kick you out even hours after you've bought your single cup of coffee, but non-Starbucks coffee shops are usually tiny and in some places hard to find.
I miss that about college, 24 hour library filled with people. You have to be quiet on the main floors but upstairs was less strict.
The routine of get a coffee, study for a while, go pee and step outside with some friends for a smoke, and grab another coffee on the way in. Rinse and repeat until the sun comes up.
Man not ours. Couldn't say shit anywhere lol.
Even our computer labs weren't too 3rd-spacey.
Man I miss college sometimes tho. Back when I had friends and a life lol
Yeah the upper floors are supposed to be for quiet study but you could still collaborate and talk without being hushed, just can't get too roudy. Michigan State btw.
Some libraries, like Austin's Central Library, are centered around that idea.
Austin's Central Library
centered around that idea.
Checks out.
I'm sorry, we need to see your library card before you can check something out.
I would love this. Like another commenter said, after 10 the no talking rule gets rescinded and it turns into a cafe level of speech.
I’d love to just read books with my wife at a library late at night.
Or simply have study areas where the silence is enforced. Rest of the premises just demands calm.
The type of nightlife I wouldn't mind. Looks very cozy
Neat idea, but most libraries I'm familiar with discourage too much social interaction. Maybe after 10 the "be quiet" rule gets rescinded.
They could have a common room where you are allowed to talk. But that would cost money of course, we can't possibly afford that.
Edit: please don't have showers in the common rooms of pubic libraries
That could work. I think it is an interesting idea to turn libraries into a 3rd space. We need to do something. People are lonely and isolated af.
I think it is an interesting idea to turn libraries into a 3rd space.
I think it's both an interesting and fantastic idea. I could not be more for it
Libraries here are regularly opened until 22 or so. It's very nice :)
That's awesome! The Seattle Central Library closes at 6pm. Like how the fuck are people supposed to use a public resource when it closes as soon as they get off work? It's hella dumb.
Where is 'here?'
Denmark
My local library closes before night time, so I'm on board with the idea of them a library closing late at night.
I don't even need to talk to others, just seeing people there would soothe me and ease loneliness I get from not socialising much.
This post is pretty spot on.
Actually the public libraries I know have long abandoned the concept of enforced silence (and librarians 'suggesting' what the patrons should and shouldn't read).
They already have different areas for different needs. And often a café close by or integrated (at least in larger cities). In fact the opening hours are most likely the main reason people don't socialise there in the (late) evenings.
Actually there have been several instances where staff members forgot to lock the entry and libraries have been used outside of their opening hours - without any supervision - and the cool part is that nothing has been vandalized or stolen. Kind of like when libraries abandoned fees for overdue media and the number of returned stuff (in time and long overdue) increased significantly. Libraries have a more central position in our culture than most people realize, they only need to adapt to the times and (re)gain some respect of the public. As institutions they might be more needed than they have been in a long time (providing also reliable information, helping to gain (information) literacy and so on).
But also what if the public library did have a bar in it so I can get smashed while learning new stuff.
This is a cool idea, but would significantly increase staffing needs. Where are you going to find librarians who want to work night shift?
In Denmark, many libraries are open far into the evening/night (my local one is open until 22) and get this - they are unstaffed during those hours. You open the door with your loaning card.
Me. I would love to be a third shift librarian.
Imagine a world where everyone is so familiar with the Dewey Decimal system that fitting in to a library could be as easy as fitting as a bagger at a grocery store. That library science was as commonplace as knowing how to make a gin and tonic. Wait staff now pivots to late-night librarian. 😁
I'm willing to bet there are a lot of librarians who would enjoy working a night shift. I'd apply for that job.
Shit, people would volunteer for that privilege. 😆
We are blessed with a small but gorgeous local library that looks like a Frank Lloyd Wright creation, full of natural light. The stacks are lovingly curated and the computer services are great. Wonderful garden out front, friendly staff inside, and modern equipment that makes checkout a breeze. We can reserve books online or check if they are in, etc.
Anyway, after school, our kid walks to the end of the block with her friends and goes into the library. From there, we pick her up. That place is jumping in the afternoons, let me tell you. All the local regulars and all the kids just out of school: littles and teenagers. It’s busy and alive but not noisy (nor are they oppressive assholes about keeping silence). It’s a moment of civic joy to walk in there and get my daughter.
They mostly are around here
My assumption is that it would be popular. So popular that the library would decide on sell a little snacks, sandwiches and soft drinks to earn a little money. And as the sale opens, they would realize that they get a lot higher profit on alcoholic drinks. And since they are selling alcoholic drinks, it's unresponsible to have them in the same area as the daily area with books and study groups. Then they open a new section, maybe in a new location. And to save money on labour, they drop the non alcoholic products.
Of course this is taking it a bit far, but my point is that such a service has incremental steps, where each step would likely give higher profit until it is just a pub.
Try kava bars. YMMV depending on your location but here in Florida, there are many that are open late where people just hang out, watch movies, play pool, videogames, read, work, etc and they're usually not loud or crowded and they don't serve alcohol
Is this not what the Cafe is made for? My friends and I frequently meet up in Cafe or public parks and play board games/ card games and chill.
This is a cool idea!
im not gonna go to a place filled chockefull with nerds
Um ... welcome to Lemmy, friend.
😭😭😭
Yes please!!!
