Looking for ways to connect with others during this time of physical distancing?
While it might seem ironic/counter-intuitive to discuss the library’s place in the center of community during this time when our physical library buildings are closed, now is a great time to connect with your colleagues and discuss ways that public libraries are the foundation for social infrastructure in our communities.
Our discussion will be based on the book Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help FIght Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life by Eric Klinenberg. See below for options on reading the book and to find other resources (in case you don’t have time for the book or can’t access it).
We’ll release a section of questions and resources every 2 weeks. Part One, about the themes in the Introduction and Chapter One, is available now.
To participate:
- Sign up here any time
- If you want to read the book, here are some options:
- Available on Overdrive/Libby in audiobook and e-book format (there are extra copies, purchased for this project)
- Purchase a paperback from Indiebound.org
- If you can’t get a hold of the book, don’t have time to read it, or want to delve further, please check the additional resources! We have articles, interviews, podcasts, and videos that address the same themes as each chapter.
- You can join in by adding to the discussion asynchronously.
If you have questions or comments about this project, please contact:
Jean Anderson, South Central Library System, jean @ scls.info
Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, sbrommer @ scls.info
Mark Jochem, South Central Library System, mjochem @ scls.info
Leah Langby, IFLS Library System, langby @ ifls.lib.wi.us