Why the Public Library Is the Best Third Place

Engaging with third places, places that are separate from both work and home, is a great way to interact with community life and enjoy a wide variety of benefits for your well-being. 

Let’s talk about why the public library is the best third place and how your library can support your overall health and well-being.

What Are Third Places?

Third places, a term coined by sociologists, are social environments distinct from the two usual environments where we spend most of our time. For the vast majority of people, the order goes first place (home), second place (work), and third place.

Some common third places include coffee shops, parks, libraries, churches, gyms, etc. 

Third places are essential for community engagement and offer a space for increased well-being. 

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The Benefits of Having Third Places 

Research published in Health & Place found numerous benefits for our health and well-being from regularly visiting third places. Having an easily accessible third place offers the following advantages: 

• Socialization. Third places offer opportunities for interaction and connection within the community, fostering a sense of belonging, security, and comfort. 
• Alleviating Loneliness. Third spaces help to counteract feelings of isolation and build connections to others in the community. 
• Improved Mental Health. Interacting with third spaces helps reduce stress, provides a change of scenery, and boosts social support. 
• Improved Physical Health. Getting out of the house and moving your body more often helps facilitate physical well-being through improved circulation and mobility. 

These benefits will be lost if these homes away from home—and work, which are increasingly the same place—become extinct.

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The Growing Inaccessibility of Many Third Places 

Third places have, for a long time, been known as the living rooms of society. While they serve vital roles in regard to community engagement, socialization, and giving people a sense of belonging, there are some serious threats facing third places. 

With inflation comes rising costs, closures, and reduced availability of free spaces. These are challenges people face when trying to engage with third places. However, the increasing amount of remote working significantly increases the need for engagement in third places. 

These trends have impacted libraries, many of which are facing budget cuts, reduced hours, and staff shortages. This affects the average person’s ability to connect and engage outside of home and work without having to spring for a gym membership or plunk down cash (or your favorite payment app) at a bar, restaurant, or other entertainment venue. 

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Why the Library Reigns Supreme as the Best Third Place 

Libraries have long been regarded as one of the most accessible and enjoyable third places, for a variety of reasons, including: 

• It's Free. This eliminates the financial barrier for most people. 
• Stay As Long As You Like. There is no pressure to purchase anything or leave quickly.
• Free Wifi. This gives you access to information, connection, and streaming services. 
• Free Entertainment. Libraries offer books, magazines, computers, and programs for all ages.
• Ample Seating. Libraries have many comfortable spaces for reading, working, or socializing.
• Social Connection. There are ample opportunities to meet friends or make new ones. Libraries also welcome families who visit together with their children. 
• Weatherproof Comfort. Libraries are welcoming spaces regardless of external conditions, keeping you cool in the summer months and toasty during the winter.  
• Convenient Hours. Opening hours for many libraries include evenings and weekends to accommodate different schedules.

Head to your local library this week just to browse and relax or check out a program. If we keep supporting our public libraries by visiting regularly, advocating for them, and voting to maintain adequate library funding, we can help ensure that these free third places will be there for us for many years to come. 

Visit www.everylibrary.org to learn more about our work on behalf of libraries. 

#librarymarketers: Enjoy this story? Want to use it for your library newsletter, blog, or social media? This article is published under Creative Commons License Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International and is free to edit and use with attribution. Please cite EveryLibrary on medium.com/everylibrary.

This work by EveryLibrary is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0