Project for Public Spaces (PPS) thinks so. Billing itself as a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that build communities, PPS recently listed its “10 Trends Shaping the Future of Our Communities.” Number five on the list is “Libraries emerge as new town squares.”
I believe that PPS may be on to something. Have you been to your local public library lately? I go to quite a few on my booksigning tours, and from I’ve seen libraries are in the midst of change, much of which is driven by technology. Ask any librarian if there is an increased demand for Web-connected computers, community rooms, music, meeting rooms and even coffee bars.
Some of the things going on at a library that I visited recently:
Lunch at the Library, a lunch provided by the library and a lecture by an author;
Adult education classes in preparation for the GED – Morning Classes 8:00-1:00 pm Monday – Thursday;
Humanities Discussion group from 4-6 p.m. featuring a variety of discussion subject related to the history of the community;
The Book Bunch – 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays; and
Hobby in the Lobby.
Are libraries the new town square?
Posted by philhardwick on February 2, 2009
Are libraries the new town squares?
Project for Public Spaces (PPS) thinks so. Billing itself as a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that build communities, PPS recently listed its “10 Trends Shaping the Future of Our Communities.” Number five on the list is “Libraries emerge as new town squares.”
I believe that PPS may be on to something. Have you been to your local public library lately? I go to quite a few on my booksigning tours, and from I’ve seen libraries are in the midst of change, much of which is driven by technology. Ask any librarian if there is an increased demand for Web-connected computers, community rooms, music, meeting rooms and even coffee bars.
Some of the things going on at a library that I visited recently:
Lunch at the Library, a lunch provided by the library and a lecture by an author;
Adult education classes in preparation for the GED – Morning Classes 8:00-1:00 pm Monday – Thursday;
Humanities Discussion group from 4-6 p.m. featuring a variety of discussion subject related to the history of the community;
The Book Bunch – 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays; and
Hobby in the Lobby.
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