Is the library a third place for young people?

Abstract

Despite some previous contributions from the library and information science community to the ongoing scholarly discussions of space and place, the research on 'library as place' in the context of young people has received scant attention. To address this gap, a case study of the Jurong Regional Library as place for young people in Singapore was carried out. Oldenburg's third place concept was deployed as a framework to explore the meaning and role of the Jurong Regional Library for young people in Singapore. Although we found that the library does not function as a third place as advocated by Oldenburg in the strictest sense, it does show that the library is a relevant and engaging place for young people in Singapore. For young people in Singapore, the library is also a social place, study place, as well as information and/or entertainment place. As a social place, young people socialize with others from diverse backgrounds via the library. The ambience of the library creates conducive environment for young people to stay and study diligently. Imbued with collective knowledge, the library is also a place where young people can satisfy their needs for information and/or entertainment. KeywordsLibrary as place, library users, public libraries, space and place, third place, young people and libraries

DIY Heritage Institutions as Third Places: Caring, Community and Wellbeing Among Volunteers at the Australian Jazz Museum

“…In terms of the galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) sector, there has been one article published on an art gallery as a third place (Slater & Koo, 2010), and multiple other studies which consider libraries as potential third places (e.g. Aabø & Audunson, 2012;Fisher et al, 2007;Harris, 2007;Lin, Pang, & Luyt, 2015). However, there is no literature that analyses archives, museums or other heritage institutions as third places.…”

“…In some cases, the literature deduced that without meeting all of Oldenburg's indicators, their sites of focus could not necessarily be considered third places (e.g. Aabø & Audunson, 2012;Fisher et al, 2007;Lin et al, 2015). Other work, however, argued that some spaces can function as third places despite subtle differences from Oldenburg's components.…”

Public Library as a Social Interactive Space

“…The reason is due to the provision for the interaction and socialization among the visitors (Codispoti, 2007). The concept of the third place promoted by Oldenburg can be applied in the urban development (Hui Lin et al, 2015). The library can become a common meeting place for the community by fulfilling the requirements of a third place.…”

“…This suggestion was supported by Jong (2016), noting that the users' perceptions towards the library environment can significantly affect the spatial design of a library. Source: Author, 2017) Based on the research done by Lin, Pang, and Luyt (2015), an inviting library space includes 3 main roles; a social place, a study place and leisure place (Figure 2). The quality of the library spaces is essential to enhance the social interaction activities.…”

Bowling alone but eating together: exploring the role of gathering places as community social capital in small towns

“…More recent scholars have further specified structural features of some gathering places including seating and shelter provided by the spaces (Mehta and Bosson 2010). Additionally, places that Oldenburg did not mention, such as electronic arcades and libraries, have since been identified as gathering places in communities (Williams 2006;Lin, Pang, and Luyt 2015).…”