Libraries for gathering, not just books
Clothing exchanges, string quartet concerts, and game nights for grown-ups 鈥� fun and enriching offerings at a hip and happening downtown high-rise apartment? Perhaps. But all three are also hosted by public libraries in Silicon Valley.聽
Meanwhile, Boston Public Library branches are home to after-work tai-chi sessions and clubs devoted to LEGO building, anime, and teen video gaming.
鈥淔or a long time, we鈥檝e tried to make sure people come in for more than checking out books,鈥� says Leah Price, communications director for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles.聽
Whether through its series 鈥淗ollywood is a Verb: Los Angeles Tackles the Oxford English Dictionary鈥� or its 鈥淭o Live and Dine in L.A.鈥� exhibition of local first-edition menus, the nonprofit group creates events that reflect the metropolitan area鈥檚 social, political, and cultural history.
The trend for libraries and library foundations to expand their scope beyond traditional media 鈥� first books and periodicals and later prerecorded audio and video 鈥� started in the children鈥檚 section, explains Michael Colford, director of library services at the Boston Public Library.聽
After puppet shows, storytelling, and musicians were introduced, other activities were developed for adults.
鈥淔or me, growing up, libraries were a place to do homework or to do research on how to plant a garden or something along those lines,鈥� Mr. Colford says. 鈥淭hey weren鈥檛 as casual as they鈥檝e been since the 鈥�80s and 鈥�90s.鈥�
After social networking via consumer technology started growing exponentially in the 1990s, libraries became a place for communal gathering.聽
鈥淥ur crowds are diverse, because everybody comes to the library,鈥� Ms. Price notes. 鈥淪o we have many different types of events. And it鈥檚 free, except if there鈥檚 a book bundle involved.鈥�
鈥淟ibraries serve across economic and racial demographics,鈥� Colford agrees. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e always been that space.鈥�
