Theory into Practice—Rolf Erikson on Third Place Libraries by Rolf Erikson
Rolf Erikson calls the library “the third place.” This means a place where students want to hang out and have conversations. He goes on to talk about the renovated library at Chelmsford High School in Massachusetts. He believes that the library is a success for two main reasons—the first is the sheer space of the place (12,000 square feet), and the second reason is that the staff involved in the re-design was eager to create a place that would draw students in.
They created a comfortable place where students could hang out with their friends, drink coffee and discuss things that are important to them. Erikson believes that by creating these friendly, comfortable spaces, the academics will improve also. He says that a library doesn’t have to do things on the scale of Chelmsford, but with a few minor changes, any library can create that “third place” and hopefully create excitement amongst the students and staff. I thought he made sense. I want students to come to the library just to hang out and chat, play video games and read. The more students I can get to come into the library the better. For if they are comfortable in the library in social situations, then the more comfortable they will be when learning in the library.
The one thing I hated about where I worked last year, is that whenever a group of students had detention or had to stay at school instead of going on a field trip—they always sent them to the library. I felt that it reinforced to the students that the library is where you go when you are bad. I’ve been trying to get them to put them into a classroom or some other space other than the library, but it hasn’t worked so far. I won’t keep trying to change that fact.
Citation:
“Theory into Practice - Rolf Erkison on Third Place Libraries.” The Blue Skunk Blog 18 Feb. 2009. Web. 28 May 2011.
Lori Jane Perdew
LIS 5240
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