William Lindsey 

"Libraries are about books and reading, of course. But they are also about providing people with a 'third place' for programming, services, and socializing; they are one of America’s only truly cross-class spaces, [Emily] Drabinski [of ALA] noted."

~ Lora Kelley

#libraries #books #education #SocialSpace #PublicSpace #CommunityResource
/1

https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2023/12/library-gen-z-readers/676963/

What Gen Z is finding at the library

Young people really do read print books.

The Atlantic
Dec 28, 2023 at 11:21pmWeb
Show threadWilliam Lindsey Dec 28, 2023

"And they function as a public resource in all meanings of the term. As Drabinski said, 'We want people to come in and use the bathroom; if that’s the only thing they need from the public library: Welcome.'”'

As I've said here before, for some time now, it has struck me that libraries are far more welcoming spaces — of all sorts of people — than churches are.

#libraries #books #education #SocialSpace #PublicSpace #CommunityResource
/2

Show threadWilliam Lindsey Dec 28, 2023

And what an indictment that is of churches.

If all the Catholic bishops now parsing the hell out of the Vatican announcement that same-sex couples can be blessed imagine they are depicting their church as welcoming, then they need to think again. Their response is precisely the opposite of anything welcoming in any shape, form, or fashion of the LGBTQ community.

#libraries #books #education #SocialSpace #PublicSpace #CommunityResource
/3

Show threadDana🗽Love GloballyDec 28, 2023

@wdlindsy

aaaaaaamen

Show threadMike D.Dec 29, 2023
@wdlindsy
We used to go to the library to read magazines and play tag when I was young. We usually stayed quite and I never recall being told to stop.
Show threadWilliam Lindsey Dec 29, 2023
@mdd Yes, libraries have long functioned as welcoming spaces for all kinds of folks, and introducing children to them early on — as welcoming spaces — helps children acquire a habit of reading and seeking out good information. In the schools I attended as I was growing up (public schools), each class had a formal library time. We were brought by the teacher to the library for an hour or so, told to feel free to hunt for books, sit and read, check out books and bring them back to class.
Show threadMike D.Dec 30, 2023

@wdlindsy
I went to a private HS and the librarian told my friend and I we were not allowed to just come to the library during study hall to read the newspaper.

We made up something about researching current events for class.

I think she just wanted lock up for the period as we were the only people ever there at that time.

Show threadWilliam Lindsey Dec 30, 2023
@mdd I've encountered librarians and archivists who strike me as having what I call an "archival" personality. They seem to regard the holdings of their particular institution as their own, not to be shared easily with the public.