Libraries as Social Hubs

In Creating Shared Campus Experiences: the Library as Culture Club, the authors make the case for university campus libraries as places suitable for bringing together not only the campus community but connecting the campus with the community at large. They state that factulty, staff and students are not generally focused on their campus community and that libraries could serve as an ideal place for people with diverse backgrounds to come together to enjoy various cultural events. It is suggested that partnering with other organizations in the community could be beneficial to both the university as well as the community, citing one example of an art exhibit that supports local schools. They characterize the campus as an impartial institution, and as such, can ideally be a “trusted third party in discussions between and among differing interests for the good of the campus (p. 254).”

Libraries are ideal places to serve as social and cultural hubs. A perusal of any program calendar at a local public library provides evidence of libraries as places where people come together to learn, create, or just have fun. For instance, the Vista Public Library has an upcoming Celebration of Art on April 25. (I will be a participating artist. Please forgive my shameless plug.)

References

Harris, R., Mayo, A., Prince, J. D., & Joan, M. (2013). Creating shared campus experiences: the library as culture club. Journal Of The Medical Library Association, 101(4), 254-256. doi:10.3163/1536 -5050.101.4.005