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Public Libraries as a Third Space in the Cultural Development of Urban Areas

Public Libraries as a Third Space in the Cultural Development of Urban Areas. Vancouver Public Library as a Case Study. Prepared by Sandra Singh, Chief Librarian. Third places. Shared experiences and shared purpose. Trust, connectedness, belonging. Third spaces build community.

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Public Libraries as a Third Space in the Cultural Development of Urban Areas

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  1. Public Libraries as a Third Space in the Cultural Development of Urban Areas Vancouver Public Library as a Case Study Prepared by Sandra Singh, Chief Librarian

  2. Third places • Shared experiences and shared purpose • Trust, connectedness, belonging Third spaces build community

  3. Qualities of a good third place • Space that encourages social activity • Allows for groups and solitude • Mixes uses to support diverse activity • Everyone is welcome • Accessible

  4. Libraries as Third Places • Meet all the criteria just described • Informal and non-formal learning • Free AND free of commercial pressure • Strategically located

  5. Cultural Development • Cultural sector: shared experiences, different lens, appreciation of diverse responses • Cultural identity: different worldviews, values and traditions; empathy and resilience • Civic culture: contributing to community’s unique identity and aspirations

  6. Libraries as Third Places in the Cultural Development of Urban Areas Lifelong learning and human development

  7. VPL: a case study • Approx 650,000 people • 8th largest city in Canada • 5,249 people per square km • 52% language other than English • One of most diverse cities in Canada

  8. Vancouver Public Library • 22 branches, including Central Library • 500,000 sq feet of public space • Diverse collections and programming • Information, cultural, knowledge exchange

  9. Vancouver Public Library Vision: An informed, engaged, and connected city. Mission: A free place for everyone to discover, create, and share ideas and information.

  10. VANCOUVER: CULTURAL SECTOR Cultural sector • Diverse cultural endeavors • Mixed environment: public, private, community • Organizations and festivals

  11. VPL: CASE STUDY Cultural Sector

  12. VPL: CULTURAL SECTOR • Collections and Resources (e.g.) • Diverse collections across 700s (DDC) • Vancouver Inspiration Pass • Opportunities • Partner to develop subject collections • Collaboratively curated exhibitions

  13. VPL: CULTURAL SECTOR • Programming (e.g.) • Partnerships: PuSH and VIWF • Book clubs at Art Gallery • Opera Speaks • Opportunities • Literary self-publishing supports • Embedded installations • Expanded content-based partnerships

  14. VPL: CULTURAL SECTOR • Public Space (e.g.) • Art Bank partnership • Britannia Art Gallery • Moat Gallery • Public art installations • Opportunities • Develop gallery spaces in branches • Creation spaces

  15. Vancouver: CULTURAL IDENTITY Cultural identity • Proud of our diverse population • Intercultural understanding and appreciation • Aboriginal heritage and communities

  16. VPL: CASE STUDY Cultural Identity

  17. VPL: CULTURAL IDENTITY • Collections & Resources (e.g.) • 17 languages collected • Reflect diverse heritage • Community-led collection development • New avenues for selections • Opportunities • More community partnerships • Improve avenues for international book selection • Cross-cultural exhibits of subject matter

  18. VPL: CULTURAL IDENTITY • Programming (e.g.) • Multicultural Fair • Aboriginal Storyteller in Residence • City Dialogues Project • Hapa-palooza Festival • Opportunities • More community partnerships • Cross-cultural approaches to subject matter

  19. VPL: CULTURAL IDENTITY • Public Space (e.g.) • Library information in 8 languages • Always feature diverse communities in publicity • Include different languages in spaces and programming • Opportunities • Improve multilingual signage • Increase multi-cultural displays throughout spaces

  20. Vancouver: CIVIC CULTURE Civic culture • A great city of communities • Greenest City Strategy • Digital city • Caring and compassionate city • Learning City

  21. VPL: CASE STUDY Civic culture

  22. VPL: civic culture • Collections (e.g.) • Access VPL Card • Community-led selections • Multilingual collections • Opportunities • Curate collections based on civic priorities • Increase multi-cultural displays throughout spaces

  23. VPL: civic culture • Public Access Technology (e.g.) • Digital Strategy • Internet Access (wi-fi) • Mobility • Computer, Information, and Digital literacy training • Opportunities • Increase multi-lingual training • Increase digital literacy training • Creative technologies

  24. VPL: civic culture • Public Space (e.g.) • Accessible • Green – Zero Waste • Civic engagement • Co-location • More community-use spaces • Opportunities • Increase access to space for community groups • Increase multi-cultural displays throughout spaces

  25. VPL: CASE STUDY Vancouver Public Library as a Third Place in the Cultural Development of Vancouver

  26. VPL: CASE STUDY • Unique informal learning spaces with mixed uses and diverse resources • Passive and active contributions to cultural development • The heart of a community!

  27. vancouver inspiration pass Sandra Singh Chief Librarian Vancouver Public Library Vancouver, BC, Canada

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