Find Connection and Community at the Library
If you’ve visited Shields Library recently, you’ve likely noticed there are many opportunities to connect and find community beyond shared study space. UC Davis Magazine recently highlighted how the library is evolving into a social “third place,” beyond home (first) and class or work (second). An excerpt from the article, written by Julia Ann Easley, is below, along with a link to the full story.
The Library as a ‘Third Place’
Smooches from therapy dogs? Music and dance performances? Drop-in tutoring? Mental health ambassadors? Yes, all this and more is at the UC Davis Library as it molds itself as a “third place.”
American urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg (1932-2022) coined the term and highlighted the importance of these social gathering spots — beyond home, our first place, and work or the classroom, our second place — in fostering community, connection and belonging.
Central to the Plan
Bill Garrity, university librarian and vice provost, shown at the tutoring center, championed the library as a third place. As a medical librarian early in his career, he had seen students use their library for group study that built community.
Here, the concept supports the library’s guiding principle to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and the activities flow from the library’s strategic plan. “Our plan has inclusivity and community at its core,” Garrity said.