Where Everybody Knows Your Name.
The La Porte County Public Library embarked on a new mission to redefine the role a public library could play in Northwest Indiana, one that dedicates itself to lifelong learning and public involvement.
The backbone to every good community is a functioning relationship between three places: (1) home, (2) work, and (3) social hubs. These hubs, more commonly referred to as “third places,” are the gatekeepers to our community’s personality. They are the places where we interact with one another and, in many ways, frame our perception of the world around us.
In his book, The Great Good Place, Ray Oldenburg formally defined a third place as “a generic designation for a great variety of public spaces that host regular, voluntary, informal, and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals beyond the realms of home and work.” From historic churches to local pubs, these are the magical places that shape our lives. They are where we tell our stories, expand our talents, and share our dreams with sympathetic friends.
Every good library is a third place.
