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How to Make a Relevant Public Space: Third Places for All
How can the places you visit other than your workplace or your home―such as libraries, cultural centers, parks, cafés―make a valuable contribution to a vital society? How to Make a Relevant Public Space answers this question from a variety of angles.
278 pages, Hardcover
Published August 22, 2017
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 3, 2020
This book reads like it is written as a provocation. It has many interesting ideas, and I don't agree with them all, but it is still interesting reading. Ideas to consider include, who are you excluding from your library. It may not be deliberate (or it may), but it could be in how the library is designed, and services are provided that some people feel unwelcome. The chapter by Diane Ghirardo is of particular interest for this.
One of the libraries discussed (in Gouda) was a chocolate factory before it was a library. The chapter by Jan David Hanrath and Rob Bruijnzeels highlights the importance of telling the stories of the buildings in a context like local studies. They also stress the importance of collections, and of connecting communities to these collections.
It is important that you remain true to yourself. The library's existence begins and ends with the collection. I mean a modern collection with, in addition to books, other forms of content such as music, art, tools, videos, course and activities, either physically or online. But that the collection is the core...the collection is what you inspire people with stories and information that is relevant to them...The library is going to ask questions, questions that are important for both individuals and community' (pp162-163, 165).
There are many lovely photographs of libraries in this book, but for some of these libraries access seems limited to those who are able bodied with stairs seeming sometimes as barriers not for access. When reading this book, think about whose voices are not included.
One of the libraries discussed (in Gouda) was a chocolate factory before it was a library. The chapter by Jan David Hanrath and Rob Bruijnzeels highlights the importance of telling the stories of the buildings in a context like local studies. They also stress the importance of collections, and of connecting communities to these collections.
It is important that you remain true to yourself. The library's existence begins and ends with the collection. I mean a modern collection with, in addition to books, other forms of content such as music, art, tools, videos, course and activities, either physically or online. But that the collection is the core...the collection is what you inspire people with stories and information that is relevant to them...The library is going to ask questions, questions that are important for both individuals and community' (pp162-163, 165).
There are many lovely photographs of libraries in this book, but for some of these libraries access seems limited to those who are able bodied with stairs seeming sometimes as barriers not for access. When reading this book, think about whose voices are not included.
December 20, 2022
De naar mijn mening meest interessante bevindingen uit dit boek:
"A true public space needs to be well-staffed and have extensive opening hours."
We hebben graag controle over ‘onze’ 3rd space: ‘Research shows that we like to adjust our furniture to our use.”
Wees gastvrij en kijk verder dan je kerntaken: “This does mean there is a different division of responsibilities for employees. It is important that when you work here, you present yourself as a host; you have to welcome visitors, and feel responsible for the identity and ambiance of this place.”
“We have a no “no”sign policy.” Vertrouw je gasten. “We removes all the negative signs, characteristic of a previous type of service.”
“We want everyone to leave the library feeling inspired and with a smile on their face.”
Wat een third place succesvol maakt: “You have to create conditions that make people feel at home: appealing design, staff members who make you feel welcome and heard, mutual trust. This creates an atmosphere that encourages people to open up and have conversations with others. It is an energizing place that challenges you to be inspired by new ideas and, possibly, to be able to create new things. All this makes you love to be there, and you want to come back for more.”
"A true public space needs to be well-staffed and have extensive opening hours."
We hebben graag controle over ‘onze’ 3rd space: ‘Research shows that we like to adjust our furniture to our use.”
Wees gastvrij en kijk verder dan je kerntaken: “This does mean there is a different division of responsibilities for employees. It is important that when you work here, you present yourself as a host; you have to welcome visitors, and feel responsible for the identity and ambiance of this place.”
“We have a no “no”sign policy.” Vertrouw je gasten. “We removes all the negative signs, characteristic of a previous type of service.”
“We want everyone to leave the library feeling inspired and with a smile on their face.”
Wat een third place succesvol maakt: “You have to create conditions that make people feel at home: appealing design, staff members who make you feel welcome and heard, mutual trust. This creates an atmosphere that encourages people to open up and have conversations with others. It is an energizing place that challenges you to be inspired by new ideas and, possibly, to be able to create new things. All this makes you love to be there, and you want to come back for more.”
January 11, 2018
really inspiring
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews