You Paid For It…Use It!

While there are some rumblings on the internet of the dearth of third spaces, I think people who are speculating huge disappearances are flat out wrong. Use the ones you’ve paid for already!

Coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, third spaces is “a generic designation for a great variety of public places that host the regular, voluntary, informal, and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals beyond the realms of home and work.”

Essentially, your first and second places, respectively, are home and work. Your third space is anything like a coffee shop, bar, library, park, community center, place of worship, diner, dance hall, etc.

While it is true, there is a disappearance of paid third spaces like coffee shops, diners, bars, but what about the public ones? The ones you already paid for (directly via property taxes or indirectly via sales taxes or monthly rent [that your landlord uses to {hopefully} pay taxes with]).

Those third spaces like libraries, community centers, recreation areas, and public parks need you to use them well.

Here’s my case that the library needs your full utilization. If you haven’t stepped into a library in years or decades, the library isn’t what it used to be. If you have visited a library recently, you know very well what’s going on.

It’s much more than holding books, newspapers, encyclopedias, etc.

If you remember microfiche, microfilm, card catalogs, archives, large print, there’s a lot more.

Plenty more!

When I used to work at New Mexico’s most popular library (by circulation and walk-ins) in high school, this was around the time that I began to see the transformation of library technologies. Yes, I worked at the library doing basic tasks like shelving books, repairing books, tidying shelves, checking-in books, and assisting with event programming.

What I noticed was that you can sit down at a desktop computer and use it to do research, play games, send email, or print out webpages. That was the beginning. What I saw was that you can borrow audio books, music, movies. This was like your alternate movie rental store, but free to the public.

Next came digital libraries, such as reading newspapers and magazines online, checking out digital copies of books, loaner laptops and tablets, free WiFi, free hotspots, and much more.

What I’m about to say is also shocking, but the reality of libraries is they let everyone use their resources whether you live there or not. While traveling around the United States, I find myself looking for places to work or study that are free, moderately peaceful, calm, and safe. Free wifi and available outlets are a huge plus.

In addition, the times of “shhhhh” from the librarians and dusty musty shelves are no longer a thing. The modern library these days resembles a social community space where you can use your normal speaking voice, take that brief phone call, or occasionally chat. (However, not be a disturbance for others constantly). It’s almost as if that third space has books and everything that you normally find in other third spaces like diners, cafes, food halls, and pubs.

As an alternative to Starbucks which now requires a purchase with each visit or McDonald’s, which at one time offered free self-serve refills, some libraries now let you in with a water bottle, thermos, and sometimes food as long as you clean up after yourself.

The library has plenty of spaces, desks, chairs, rooms, and makes accommodations for everyone who visits.

Whether you continue going to your coffee shop to work or study, your public library is so much more these days and quite reliable. As a remote worker, I’m finding it harder to go to places like coffee shops to get anything done. Sometimes I’m faced with limited or uncomfortable seating, lack of outlets, or unreliable wifi connection. On top of that, the music or other distractions can be difficult to filter out. In cities where traffic or parking may be an issue, finding a place to park your car can be a challenge. I get it, these privately owned third spaces need to make money and people sitting around drinking, taking up space, and using resources is not a great profit maker.

The library on the other hand, especially more modern and renovated libraries, have become places where you can have a comfortable seat with ample space, reliable internet, and plenty of outlets. They don’t need to profit, but they do need your support.

Whenever you see a ballot item in your next local election for the library, vote to support them. They are truly spaces that you want to keep around as those third spaces that you should use.

The more that everyone uses places like the library, the more welcoming the places are for all ages. If you think that the library is not for you, consider trying them again. It sure beats having to sit at home doom scrolling and sure beats having to spend any extra money at places. Plus that third space is also healthy for you and builds community resilience.

If you want to learn more about supporting libraries locally or nationally, check out the EveryLibrary advocacy group.