• @[email protected]
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    841 year ago

    This concept is the “third space” – a social space other than work and home where people can congregate, socialize, and relax. Parks and libraries are some of the only remaining spaces in capitalism where people can be humans without paying for the privilege to exist by the minute.

    • @[email protected]
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      91 year ago

      True, that is what the concept has become. But we need to remember that “third place” originally ment places of business like pubs, cafés, barbershops etc.

      Modern cities do need the kind of places you ment - not more malls or apple stores (think I read that it’s a new trend to have those resemble places you can casually chill so they can casually sell you their stuff).

  • keepcarrot [she/her]
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    21 year ago

    What if libraries served drinks. Or quiet pub. I’d be jazzed. That said, I wish libraries were more conducive as social spaces. I know they run events sometimes, but in general time I feel like people aren’t approachable

    • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet
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      91 year ago

      That’s awesome! The Seattle Central Library closes at 6pm. Like how the fuck are people supposed to use a public resource when it closes as soon as they get off work? It’s hella dumb.

      • technomad
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        31 year ago

        The issue probably goes deeper. I’m sure they have struggles/difficulties about having more accessible hours. I do wish my libraries had better hours too though.

        • AwkwardLookMonkeyPuppet
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          31 year ago

          I think it might have something to do with the explosion of homelessness in Seattle over the last few years. When I moved to Seattle ten years ago that library was amazing, and open pretty late (I think 8 pm). But last time I went there like a year ago it was completely overrun with homeless people. They were everywhere in the library, just sitting around doing nothing (not reading or using computers), and dozens of them were outside of every entrance too. So, I think they might have adjusted the hours because of that, instead of directly dealing with the problem. I don’t really have an issue with homeless people taking advantage of a public resource, that’s why it’s there, but a lot of other people do, and the city has to consider everyone’s perspective.

          • technomad
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            21 year ago

            There should be a better solution for homeless people than for them to have to overrun places like that. It’s sad, and detrimental to all sides. That’s crazy to think about how it used to be a place that could stay open like you said, and then turned into something else that wasn’t able to because of external influences and impacts.

            Where’s the resiliency?

            There’s got to be some kind of proactive way of dealing with an issue like this vs. going the ‘limit hours’ route, which harms the accessibility of everyone. This is probably affecting a lot of libraries right now.

  • The Octonaut
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    791 year ago

    Americans reinventing coffee houses that aren’t Starbucks be like:

    • @[email protected]
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      131 year ago

      You gotta pay to be at a coffee house. And sure, coffee isn’t terribly expensive and most places won’t kick you out even hours after you’ve bought your single cup of coffee, but non-Starbucks coffee shops are usually tiny and in some places hard to find.

        • @[email protected]
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          91 year ago

          A bookstore that also had a cafe in it. People would go there and buy a drink or whatever and read. The problem was after reading they didn’t have to buy the book. I read a ton of comic books for the price of a coke back then. A library set up like this would be pretty cool.

          • technomad
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            11 year ago

            That sounds like Hastings kind of.

            So many good stores that are now extinct.

            • jlow (he/him)
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              51 year ago

              This is secretly one of my life goals: have (graphic novel) library that is also a café. Maybe when I’m retired (aka never) 👌

              • technomad
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                41 year ago

                I like it, and can it have a dedicated place to draw/create? What’s the auditory experience going to be like? You’re going to have to tell us more about this cafe you’re ‘never’ going to have XD

  • @[email protected]
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    101 year ago

    Try kava bars. YMMV depending on your location but here in Florida, there are many that are open late where people just hang out, watch movies, play pool, videogames, read, work, etc and they’re usually not loud or crowded and they don’t serve alcohol

  • @[email protected]
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    81 year ago

    But also what if the public library did have a bar in it so I can get smashed while learning new stuff.

    • technomad
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      21 year ago

      That’s a terrible idea, but I’m definitely lol’ing at the thought of it.

      A built in coffee shop on the other hand…

  • @[email protected]
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    1 year ago

    We are blessed with a small but gorgeous local library that looks like a Frank Lloyd Wright creation, full of natural light. The stacks are lovingly curated and the computer services are great. Wonderful garden out front, friendly staff inside, and modern equipment that makes checkout a breeze. We can reserve books online or check if they are in, etc.

    Anyway, after school, our kid walks to the end of the block with her friends and goes into the library. From there, we pick her up. That place is jumping in the afternoons, let me tell you. All the local regulars and all the kids just out of school: littles and teenagers. It’s busy and alive but not noisy (nor are they oppressive assholes about keeping silence). It’s a moment of civic joy to walk in there and get my daughter.

  • @[email protected]
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    41 year ago

    Is this not what the Cafe is made for? My friends and I frequently meet up in Cafe or public parks and play board games/ card games and chill.

  • molave
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    241 year ago

    The type of nightlife I wouldn’t mind. Looks very cozy

  • @[email protected]
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    71 year ago

    This is a cool idea, but would significantly increase staffing needs. Where are you going to find librarians who want to work night shift?

    • @[email protected]
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      1 year ago

      In Denmark, many libraries are open far into the evening/night (my local one is open until 22) and get this - they are unstaffed during those hours. You open the door with your loaning card.

    • @[email protected]
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      31 year ago

      Imagine a world where everyone is so familiar with the Dewey Decimal system that fitting in to a library could be as easy as fitting as a bagger at a grocery store. That library science was as commonplace as knowing how to make a gin and tonic. Wait staff now pivots to late-night librarian. 😁

    • technomad
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      11 year ago

      Shit, people would volunteer for that privilege. 😆

    • @[email protected]
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      31 year ago

      I’m willing to bet there are a lot of librarians who would enjoy working a night shift. I’d apply for that job.

  • Jo Miran
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    511 year ago

    Some libraries, like Austin’s Central Library, are centered around that idea.

  • @[email protected]
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    421 year ago

    I miss that about college, 24 hour library filled with people. You have to be quiet on the main floors but upstairs was less strict.

    The routine of get a coffee, study for a while, go pee and step outside with some friends for a smoke, and grab another coffee on the way in. Rinse and repeat until the sun comes up.

    • @[email protected]
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      81 year ago

      Man not ours. Couldn’t say shit anywhere lol.

      Even our computer labs weren’t too 3rd-spacey.

      Man I miss college sometimes tho. Back when I had friends and a life lol

      • @[email protected]
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        61 year ago

        Yeah the upper floors are supposed to be for quiet study but you could still collaborate and talk without being hushed, just can’t get too roudy. Michigan State btw.