Storefront Library » data

Should Libraries aim for Third Place?

Sam — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:14:28 +0000

“In the absence of informal public life, living becomes more expensive. Where the means and facilities for relaxation and leisure are not publicly shared, they become the objects of private ownership and consumption.” – Ray Oldenburg

As we enter the home stretch for the Storefront Library at 640 Washington St, Boston Street Lab is running evaluation interviews with staff and patrons. A frequent theme emerging from these discussions is the unique role of the Storefront Library as a safe, engaging social space where patrons can linger.

For example, we’re hearing that the Storefront Library is a preferred meeting location for friends going out, because you can read a book, visit the Drawing Lab, or join a program underway while waiting for your companions to show up. Alternatively, some patrons simply drop in after work or school before heading home for dinner, usually for newspapers or internet access. Others of you have discovered that we’re open late on Thursday and that we have a collection of donated board games. And everyone knows that you can sit and read anytime, without have to buy a cup of coffee, or shop, (or pretend to shop).

Third places is a term used by urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg referring to a type of social space lying between home and work—the two places where we generally spend most of our time. Importantly, third places can provide an opportunity for creative interaction and civic engagement on a level playing field. Here are a few links exploring the concept in relation to libraries (and coffee shops) from bloggers in Boston (MA) and Maricopa County (AZ).

We’re inspired by the concept of third places, but, as any librarian, cafe owner , or postmaster will tell you: the devil is in the details. Right now, Boston Street Lab is analyzing quantitative and qualitative data about how people use the Storefront Library. Our goal: uncover and document how to lower costs, reduce risk, remove operational impediments while simultaneously improving guest experience, raising program attendance, and increasing positive community impacts. We think a rigorous evaluation of this temporary project can inform and inspire advocacy for a permanent library branch in the neighborhood. We also think it will help Boston Street Lab and other producers seeking to develop other street-level cultural and civic uses of space in urban neighborhoods.

Do you have thoughts about the Storefront Library? Here’s how you can contribute:

Feedback online
Leave a message for us at the Storefront Library Hotline (617) 466-9171
Drop in and feedback in person

The Storefront Library counts

Sam — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:06:07 +0000

During the operation of the Storefront Library, a headcount of adults and children is taken every 30 minutes. The chart below is a snapshot of combined (adults+children) headcounts from the first month of operation. We use headcount data to adjust operating hours, staffing, and program schedules for maximum impact.

Boston Street Lab and the Storefront Library Volunteers are working to create a fine grained analysis of how the community uses this temporary library. We think it can inform and inspire advocacy for a permanent library branch in the neighborhood. We also think it will help us develop other small-scale, street-level cultural uses of space in downtown Boston. View the chart at full size. Download a data snapshot as printable PDF. View more data at our Live Data page.

The Storefront Library is an experiment

Sam — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:21:47 +0000

The Storefront Library is a working library and also an experiment. Here’s a snapshot of visitor head counts taken every 30 minutes during our first day of operation:

Come visit, use the library, and tell us what you think. The more you put the Storefront Library to the test, the more we all learn about how to bring a permanent library and other cultural institutions to downtown Boston.

This week, the Storefront Library is open TUE-THU 11AM-6PM, FRI & SAT 10AM-5PM.