Housing: GenZ is rediscovering the value of libraries
Young people are using public libraries, both in person and digitally, at higher rates than older generations found a recent report by the American Library Association (ALA) cited in a Guardian article. And the young people are not just there to read. Up to half of those not identifying as readers still visited their local library in the past year.
This shows the important role of libraries beyond books - as social or so-called ‘third’ spaces. “We traditionally think of libraries as very quiet, and parts of them are, but what we observed watching Gen Z in libraries is that there are some really great spaces for teens, big rooms where they can do things like gaming or making their own music,” said the co-author of the ALA report; “It’s a place to be solitary, but also a place to build community.”
We believe this is a value that libraries and other culture organisations offer and that should be recognised. In our Wellbeing Framework we do so under Housing, one of the 12 dimensions of the framework. We describe it as a space that is healthy, suitable, affordable and inspiring, where to exchange ideas, have a good time, and build relationships.
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Housing: GenZ is rediscovering the value of libraries
Young people are using public libraries, both in person and digitally, at higher rates than older generations found a recent report by the American Library Association (ALA) cited in a Guardian article. And the young people are not just there to read. Up to half of those not identifying as readers still visited their local library in the past year.
This shows the important role of libraries beyond books - as social or so-called ‘third’ spaces. “We traditionally think of libraries as very quiet, and parts of them are, but what we observed watching Gen Z in libraries is that there are some really great spaces for teens, big rooms where they can do things like gaming or making their own music,” said the co-author of the ALA report; “It’s a place to be solitary, but also a place to build community.”
We believe this is a value that libraries and other culture organisations offer and that should be recognised. In our Wellbeing Framework we do so under Housing, one of the 12 dimensions of the framework. We describe it as a space that is healthy, suitable, affordable and inspiring, where to exchange ideas, have a good time, and build relationships.
Interested in more stories like this? Sign up to our monthly newsletter.
Housing: GenZ is rediscovering the value of libraries
Young people are using public libraries, both in person and digitally, at higher rates than older generations found a recent report by the American Library Association (ALA) cited in a Guardian article. And the young people are not just there to read. Up to half of those not identifying as readers still visited their local library in the past year.
This shows the important role of libraries beyond books - as social or so-called ‘third’ spaces. “We traditionally think of libraries as very quiet, and parts of them are, but what we observed watching Gen Z in libraries is that there are some really great spaces for teens, big rooms where they can do things like gaming or making their own music,” said the co-author of the ALA report; “It’s a place to be solitary, but also a place to build community.”
We believe this is a value that libraries and other culture organisations offer and that should be recognised. In our Wellbeing Framework we do so under Housing, one of the 12 dimensions of the framework. We describe it as a space that is healthy, suitable, affordable and inspiring, where to exchange ideas, have a good time, and build relationships.
Interested in more stories like this? Sign up to our monthly newsletter.
