What is the third place?
The third place (sometimes called the ‘third space’) is the place that is not your home (1st place) and not your work environment (2nd place). The third place is a place where people can gather and get away from tensions and worries at home and at work.
The term was coined in 1989 by sociologist Ray Oldenburg. He refined his definition by listing the following requirements for a Third place:
- Free or inexpensive
- Food and drink, while not essential, should be available in the vicinity
- Highly accessible: proximate for many (walking distance)
- Involve regulars – those who habitually congregate there
- Welcoming and comfortable
- Both new friends and old should be found there.
Traditionally third places are anywhere that people gather for social and recreational reasons, from the Forum in ancient Rome right through to a modern day barbershop.
Public libraries are in the perfect position to become a popular Third Place. Many have already taken this concept on board. In particular the public library in a small community can often be the hub of the town.
A number of small municipal Finnish libraries have taken Third Place Theory on board in a big way and have become the cultural centres of their towns. In addition to the more usual book groups, author talks, handicraft groups and reading circles, they have diversified. Community groups are encouraged to meet there. New ventures include loaning of sports goods, having cafe nights, movie nights and offered opportunities to produce digital material.
Of course this is not happening only in Finland but also around the world. In a time when some see the library as a dying institution, many libraries are meeting the challenge of changing times by creating spaces and services that satisfy the age old need of humans to feel a sense of community.
There is an excellent article about how to design libraries as Third Places here
Just as an interesting snippet, I came upon a website for an interesting concept in China, which seems to really hit the nail on the head in terms of Third Place. There are 3 branches of The Bookworm, in Beijing, Suzhou and Chengdu. They are not public libraries, but rather a commercial venture which sells, but also lends, books (for a small fee). They attract foreigners living in China as they stock books in European languages. With the inclusion of a cafe and restaurant, they have become a busy meeting place for locals and expats. The’Happenings’ page reads: ‘The Bookworm’s library makes the perfect informal setting for our inspiring programme packed with readings, talks, discussions, debates, book launches and music gigs. Audiences are enlightened by well respected novelists, journalists and travel writers; enraptured by impromptu homespun musical soirees hatched round the piano; and transported to lands far away by lilting lines of live poetry.’
I’m sure many of the ideas used by The Bookworm could be implemented in public libraries.
"The library, and step on it" 