The case for public libraries: Creating a safe place for everyone

Illustration by anne malewski | cargocollective.com/marblesatsea

We’re currently spotlighting our policy intervention, Living Libraries: The case for public libraries in the words of those who use, work in and run them. In this short publication, we make eight recommendations for decision-makers, on four themes: health and wellbeing; community; information; and the environment. Read on to find out more about the second strand of our research, on the vital role libraries play in communities:

"Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, whatever your personal circumstances,” Jayne explained, the library is a “safe, inclusive place to be, where everybody is welcome”. A central pillar of the post-war social project, the public library has been for many a constant in a rapidly changing world. “We moved around a lot”, recalled Elizabeth. “And libraries were a lifesaver. They provided a continuity and a consistency in an ever-changing life.” Patricia agreed: “we always joined the library, wherever we went...it was comforting. Books were our friends”.

Even for non-readers, reported Victoria, the library offers “a safe place to go, somewhere to go for help, out of the cold and the rain”. Into the twenty-first century, as we face ever more challenging times, the space offered by the library – social, physical and virtual – remains urgently necessary for our communities.

Libraries as social infrastructure
Public libraries are inclusive, diverse and equitable spaces: no matter your age, gender, sexuality, class, ethnicity, all are welcome. Hafsah described Peterborough Central Library’s “really big community languages section. We’ve got books in Lithuanian, Latvian, Italian, Portuguese”, including dual language books for parents and children to read together. But while book groups are thriving in several public libraries, including groups for shared silent reading, reading aloud, and visually impaired readers, the “comfort” provided by libraries goes beyond books. As Henrietta put it, “we have no labels” for the communities served by the public library. “You don’t even have to be able to read.” From Scrabble and Lego to coding or language-learning, public libraries are hives of activity, providing opportunities for social connection and supporting social cohesion, including helping to embed asylum seekers and refugees into their new communities. Carol reported that one Syrian refugee, a beekeeper, “now does talks in our library about beekeeping. He’s got an allotment, he’s settling in [...] the best place [people] can be welcomed is the library”.

“A library is for books, for computers, for informal learning. For a meeting place. For safety. For warmth. For companionship” - Chrys, Colliers Wood

Libraries as free, welcoming public spaces
“The living room for the city centre”, as Mark put it, or “a public square with a roof on”; the physical infrastructure of the public library is of utmost importance and must be invested in appropriately. “People see libraries as their space, as their place in the community,” Sue explained. The library is “somewhere that is not intimidating to them, it belongs to them, they pay for it through their taxes".

"This building belongs to me,” stated Martyn, “like it belongs to everybody that uses it.” As an older gay man, Martyn is alert to the importance of libraries to LGTBQ communities. “I’ve gone through my life looking for places where I can be myself, where I’m accepted, where I’m wanted”, he explained. Storyhouse in Chester is “my safe place [...] And lots of other people, whether they’re gay or not, feel exactly the same about this particular building.” The public library is an essential alternative to other council buildings. “Sometimes it’s the only civic building in a town centre,” explained Carol. “Sometimes it’s the only community venue in isolated communities.” Support and help can be made available in a friendly, non-stigmatising environment, bypassing some of the barriers of officialdom.

For one library user struggling with addiction, the library was “the only place he’d been actually out of his house to in quite a number of weeks,” reported Carol. Colleagues “started talking to him, they started signposting to help and support, he started reading, he started talking to the library staff. He now actually volunteers for us.”

Beyond buildings
While the bricks and mortar of the library are undoubtedly essential to its functioning, the public library extends beyond its physical infrastructure. Those who cannot access the physical library space are able to benefit from the library’s services through home visits, mobile libraries, e-book and audiobook borrowing and magazine subscriptions. As Rachel commented, “some people only access us online”. Increasingly, libraries are building their online provision, in order to deliver virtual events such as storytelling sessions or author talks.

Conclusion
Public libraries provide a uniquely valuable space for all sectors of society - open, welcoming and free. Fostering communities of readers, and around certain activities, libraries also offer a meeting place for a diversity of users, of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds, and with differing needs. The space offered and occupied by public libraries within communities is social, physical and virtual, and must be protected and sustained into the future.

Living Libraries recommends:

• Libraries’ role as both physical and virtual community spaces should be recognised and funded appropriately, including maintenance of library buildings and vehicles, and strengthening of libraries’ ability to build and sustain their online communities, for example, through social media.

• Library staff should be supported with appropriate training and advice to continue libraries’ inclusive, diverse and equitable engagement with all members of the public.

Thanks for reading!

The named individuals in these extracts are all Living Libraries interviewees, and their full interviews will be available as part of our archive.

Previously in this series: a project recap, and a post on libraries, health and wellbeing. In the meantime, you can find out more about our policy pack here, or download a copy to read or print at home.