The future of libraries according to Seth Godin:
The next library is a house for the librarian with the guts to invite kids in to teach them how to get better grades while doing less grunt work. And to teach them how to use a soldering iron or take apart something with no user serviceable parts inside. And even to challenge them to teach classes on their passions, merely because it’s fun. This librarian takes responsibility/blame for any kid who manages to graduate from school without being a first-rate data shark.
I think he’s on to something here. I’m wondering if the kind of place he is describing is the new “third place,” a place for a community to gather that is neither home nor work. What if coffee shops started hiring librarians and creating shared learning spaces. Even better, what if libraries started creating coffee bars to keep people in the library to help foster learning relationships. I’d spend my time there.
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I wish the library would take a cue from the rise of community centers–more groups, more classes, more connection with others. And, of course, as you mention, a coffee-bar. The bonus would be that, just as with going to the mall, the more time I spent at the library because of a class or activity, the more likely I’d be to browse the stacks and use their materials.
Good post–stirred up some interesting thoughts, especially with summer coming!