LIBRARIES WITH LATTES: THE NEW THIRD PLACE

Cathryn Harris Library manager Mt Gambier Public Library South Australia

Received October 2007

The increased use of the term third place derives from the research of urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg and his 1999
book ‘A great good place’. He writes about the importance of public gathering places and why these places are
essential to community and public life. Although beverages are not crucial in developing a third place, the enjoyment
of conversation over a cup of coffee certainly adds to the experience. Due to their ability to attract a large and
diverse range of users and the prominent position they hold in many communities, public libraries are creating a
sense of community. Their cafés appear to be an integral part of their development as a new third place.

• always open and always on

P ublic libraries are in a unique position to

become the next great good places,
places where people can freely gather
and interact. As described by urban
sociologist Ray Oldenburg,1 a place distinct
• fantastic design and fabulous people
• if nothing else is achieved, make sure you
have the best coffee in town.

from home and work – a third place. If Meyrick is correct, then coffee shops will
play a vital role in helping libraries to build
Public libraries are the most heavily used communities and create the new third place.
Australian public buildings2 and are in the With her comments in mind, it is interesting to
distinctive position of attracting a diverse cradle see the concept of integrating coffee shops in
to grave user range through a variety of libraries has increased significantly over the last
services. In an era when people have become few years, with a major influence being the
increasingly dislocated from family, friends and emergence of superbookstores like Borders
the traditional social structures such as tantalising their customers with lattes and
churches, recreational clubs and political providing what retail marketers describe as an
parties, libraries have been given the ‘experience’. Refreshments are now considered
opportunity to become a community focal an integral part of the book browsing
point. Bryson, Usherwood and Proctor describe experience with more libraries building coffee
the library as being shops or vending machines into their consumer
…at any one time a meeting place, a learning profiles.5
resource and a comfortable and relaxing public
space. The buildings that are well designed and Social capital
managed offer an array of resources that enable The concept of social capital has been debated
people and groups to establish relationship, carry for years, with many high profile social
on conversations, exchange ideas, and engage the scientists developing theories about it. Political
life of the mind.3 scientist Robert Putnam states that

Kate Meyrick of the Australian Horney Institute … social capital refers to connections among
individuals – social networks and the norms of
and presenter at the 2007 Australian public
reciprocity and trustworthiness that arise from
library conference suggests that a key them. In that sense social capital is closely
component of a third place is availability of related to what some have called civic virtue.
food and drink, especially good coffee. She The difference is that social capital calls
goes further by listing ten practical ways for a attention to the fact that civic virtue is most
library to be recognised as a third place4 powerful when embedded in a sense network of
reciprocal social relations. A society of many
• create a brand virtuous but isolated individuals is not
• respond to community identity necessarily rich in social capital.6
• allow for planned and chance encounters
• lead with programming According to Putnam, some of the positive
• don’t dumb down the vision due to lack of attributes of social capital include mutual
funds support, cooperation, trust and institutional
effectiveness whilst reducing intolerance,
• aggregate and cluster
cultural superiority and corruption. In simple
• make a street cluster a destination and terms, social interaction builds communities,
cultural precinct enables people to commit to each other and
• encourage discovery creates a social network, benefiting society as a

Aplis 20(4) December 2007 145

whole. In his 2000 book Bowling alone Putnam As confirmed by the Libraries / building /
draws on evidence, including 500,000 communities study, public libraries make major
interviews, to show that individuals now belong contributions to communities by
to fewer organisations, no longer know their
• providing free internet access and other
neighbours, meet with friends less often and
related information technology resources
even socialize with family less.
• educating and assisting people to locate
The World Bank provides a similar view on information thus creating better informed
social capital communities
…the institutions, relationships, and norms that • providing specially designed programs that
shape the quality and quantity of a society’s encourage lifelong learning and literacy
social interactions… Social capital is not just the within the community
sum of the institutions that underpin a society – it
is the glue that holds them together.7 • building connection within the community,
between individuals, groups and
The library’s role in building social capital government.
Recent research8 undertaken by the Local
Government Association of Queensland All of these attributes contribute to the building
relating to the role of local government and of social capital within a community and are
social capital identifies social capital as indicative of how libraries are instrumental in
associated with concepts such as community, facilitating a sense of community.
trust and networks. In simple terms this
research suggests social capital is about In Christchurch New Zealand the belief of the
institutions and relationships that shape the city council is that libraries are the cornerstone
quality and quantity of society’s social of the community, with the chief executive of
interactions. It is community engagement, the council Dr Lesley McTurk cited as saying
partnering and collaboration which are all that ‘Libraries are at the hub of our
evidence of faith in building social capital. communities’. This commitment from council
members has enabled library administrators to
A comprehensive 2005 project undertaken by achieve so much over recent years, including
the Library Board of Victoria and the Victorian the building of five new libraries.
public library network and managed by the
State Library of Victoria, Libraries/ building / Moen10 further adds that it is not all about
communities9 highlighted that public libraries architecture – it is about what happens within
are widely considered to be extremely the building that is important. When designing
important cultural, economic and social buildings it is crucial to understand how the
institutions. The roles they perform include the community will use the building, either as
collection and dissemination of information and individuals or as groups, to build social capital
the provision of comfortable and convenient within Christchurch.
places for people to read, learn and socialise.
McTurk states
Their physical spaces form meeting spaces for
the wider community. Free at the point of use In Christchurch city we believe libraries are
they create a sense of an equitable society, are about more than books and buildings. Libraries
highly valued by members of community they are at the hub of our communities. No longer
serve and draw a diverse range of people. places where everyone has to be quiet, today’s
libraries are busy information centres focusing
on customers and offering a place to meet friends
The Victorian report was the culmination of a for coffee, use the net and of course find the
landmark project taking more than two years to latest thriller. The benefits to our communities
complete and is the first comprehensive are well worth the ongoing significant
Australian study looking at the value public investment. In the future we anticipate even more
libraries bring to their communities. The study innovation in the way libraries help create
included every public library in Victoria and inclusive communities, and are centres for
sought the views of nearly 10,000 people. lifelong learning, fun and creativity.11

146 Aplis 20(4) December 2007

As Christchurch has shown, libraries can Oldenburg adds
become the hub of a community – much more The character of a third place is determined most
than a place to borrow reading material. of all by its regular clientele and is marked by a
Libraries have moved beyond the role of playful mood, which contrasts with people’s
repositories of information to assume that of more serious involvement in other spheres.
facilitators of a wide range of resources and Through a radically different kind of setting from
programs. It is a combination of books, a home, the third place is remarkably similar to a
magazines, dvds, databases, computer access good home in the psychological comfort and
and community programs which help to build support that it extends... They are the heart of a
social capital and community engagement.12 community’s social vitality, the grass roots of
democracy.15
Third places: anchors of community life
The term third place is being used increasingly In its quest for good urban design, Australia’s
to describe the building of social capital in an Gold Coast City Council describes 15 qualities
environment distinct from home and work. Ray of urban design it uses to create good places.
Oldenburg’s The great, good place is the most These qualities include
influential work to date explaining why third • variety
places are crucial for civil society.13 Although • public and private sides
other writers comment on the concept of a third
• adaptability and versatility
place, all evidence is based on Oldenburg’s
theory. • human scale and richness
• qualities of edges
Third places and the importance of informal life • connectivity
have been an integral part of great civilisations • sustainability
for centuries. It has also been an important part • urban greenscape
of American culture. The inns and saloons • safety
transformed colonial society. Later it became
• space and space making.16
the soda fountains, drugstores, diners and
churches that became the social anchors of
These qualities are about legibility, accessibility
community life. Over the years the local library
and the quality of the edges of spaces which are
has become another important foundation of
easily accessed when on foot, explains Gold
local communities, serving as a third place.14
Coast City architect Phillip Follent.17 The
concepts are considered part of the council’s
Oldenburg suggests the attractor of a third place
development plan.
is not necessarily the number of seats, the
variety of food and drink served, parking
Libraries as place
availability, prices or anything else supplied by
Public libraries belong to everyone and are
management. It is what other users or
increasingly becoming places for social
customers supply that lures people to a third
interaction, with areas set aside as meeting
place. A great building is just a building and a
spaces, training rooms and art galleries. All of
place is just a space unless the people are right
these activities add to the attraction of the
to make it a living space. These people are the
library as a destination suggests William
regulars who give the place its character and set
Sannwald in the book Planning the modern
the tone, mood and manner.
public library building18 considered by the
American Library Association to be a worthy
Oldenburg describes the third place as being
resource for any local authority planning a new
typically plain. Third places are commonly
public library.
older establishments which have been
commandeered by a group of people who want
Library Garden blogger and US librarian, Peter
to linger over good company. Although the
Bromberg19 suggests that by the very nature of
build form of a third place may be subdued, the
what they do, libraries offer people a third
mood of a third place is always playful. This
place, a place different from home or work, a
spirit of play adds to the playground character
place were people can come to learn, think,
and encourages people to stay longer and also
explore, play, reflect and socialise.
urges them to return.

Aplis 20(4) December 2007 147

To remain relevant and sustainable it is Australian perspective of what libraries can
important for libraries to focus on strategies to learn from these marketing machines. However
ensure libraries are destinations of choice, and the US has embraced the concept for some
not just a place. time. Businesses such as Borders are creating
environments that are comfortable and offer a
In order to create the right library spaces and sense of community.
places West Australian library manager
Rebecca Moore, at a 2006 national library The willingness to adopt a community centre
conference, suggested libraries should be approach has dramatically increased trade in
colocated with other agencies.20 This can be bookstores. Cafés are now very important
achieved by locating the library with a elements of many retail centres and are
bookstore, café, playgroup, art gallery, museum extremely successful in the superbookstores,
or child care facility etc. Libraries should be with Chapter 21 and Borders leading the way.
seen as the hub of the community and with an
ageing population and an increasing number of The major US bookstores have been forced to
people living alone this concept will become change in order to survive. A decade ago food
more important. and drink was taboo – there were limited places
to sit and loitering was definitely discouraged.
US research indicates libraries have become Surviving bookstores have now replaced their
anchors in major urban and retail no food signs with cafés and increased floor
redevelopment projects with branch libraries space to allow for comfortable chairs, study
appearing more frequently in malls and housing tables and information desks.24
subdivisions. Libraries have become
destinations and attract a large number of Libraries can learn and take inspiration from
visitors. The destination concept has provided these bookstores. They can become much more
libraries with the opportunity to act as catalysts inviting by serving coffee and other beverages,
in cultural tourism and economic development providing entertainment through programs and
– so much so that planning authorities are now encouraging users to stay.25
including libraries in revitalisation projects in
low socioeconomic areas and in other urban Commercial enterprises rely on a financial
development plans.21 bottom line to survive. A library’s bottom line,
however, is encouraging more people to use the
Research undertaken in a South Australian facility. A library, for the many benefits it
public library indicates many users consider the provides to society and individuals, can never
library to be a great good place. They be overused. It is here that cafés play a vital
appreciate the library as a peaceful and relaxing role. It is common practice for US libraries to
place to spend time. The fact that it simply is adopt a nonprofit attitude to cafés. The profit
there appears important to many, whilst some for the library is the return visits of users and
value the pleasant atmosphere, the spaciousness their comfort and convenience.26 Another
and the warmth. Others describe it as being a noncash related bonus is that the library can
meeting place and a safe haven, welcoming and benefit from the lucrative partnerships which
open to all who wish to visit.22 can be forged through involvement with large
coffee retailers, with instore promotions and
US architect Jeffrey Scherer23 highlights some cash sponsorships.27
very valid points for libraries to embrace if they
are serious about creating a third place Cafés in libraries
• the library is a central place and is the only For decades consuming food or drink in
single political agent that can effect change libraries has generally been discouraged. There
at all levels. The neutrality a library has is an has been very little research on the subject of
important tool to use in creating a third place using food as an enticement to use them. Food
• the library is an agent for the four elements associated with children’s activities and special
of an individual’s life: live, work, play and events has been considered acceptable, but
learn. usually library managers have had an aversion
towards eating in the library. This seems to
What can be learnt from bookstores have stemmed from concerns about spillage,
Superbookstores are relatively new to Australia cleaning, food fights and insect infestation.28
and very little has been written on the However the reality is that eating and drinking

148 Aplis 20(4) December 2007

in libraries has always happened surreptiously, the incorporation of cafés. The café proprietor
possibly leading to user disccomfort about comments on the success of the venture and
doing so. describes libraries as being ‘cool’ and an
interesting place to be. This comment is
Most of the negative response comes from reflected by other members of the San José
library staff who suggest libraries should be community.32 The City of San José recognises
about providing library resources, not supplying that cafés in libraries can expect low profit
food and drink. There also appears to be a margins but encourages new entrepreneurs by
hesitation about libraries becoming competitors offering nominal rent and subsidises some of
to commercial organisations, not to mention the the operating costs, such as power and water.
threat of used coffee cups crowding library The library manager considers a café to be part
shelves.29 These comments come for internet of providing library users with comfortable and
blogs, and provide a library staff perspective welcoming spaces. In San José, libraries are
not normally found in published articles. increasingly becoming community gathering
Increasingly, however, library cafés are places. Coffee is considered a natural way to
becoming an integral part of library design. encourage dialogue between individuals.

Christchurch city libraries, considered by many In Western Australia, the Geraldton Public
to be a leader in innovation, established its first Library has effectively incorporated a quality
integrated café at the new South Library. A coffee shop for over 25 years – possibly the
decision was made during the early stages of first in Australia and New Zealand to do so.
planning to add to the overall vision and to
enhance the total experience for users when In South Australia libraries have also begun to
visiting the library. Library manager Nicki embrace the notion that incorporating a café in
Moen30 is adamant that cafés have helped to the design of a library is good for business. Tea
promote Christchurch libraries as a community Tree Gully Library is home to Scribes Café and
meeting space and a true destination. This is to reports an excellent response from users.
the extent that users are staying longer in Library staff suggest this shift has resulted in
libraries, requiring a reconsideration of parking libraries entering a more retail path, rejecting
adequacy. the stuffy image they once had.33 This change
of image is again reflected by the description of
The manager of Christchurch’s Parklands modern libraries as becoming places with funky
Library, Sally Thompson, explains lounges filled with latte drinking university
students and 20 year olds flocking to hear the
Providing a café was an integral part of the
vision… with customers being able to consume
latest guest speaker at a library literary event.34
their purchases anywhere in the building but so
far most have opted to remain in the Easy Zone Another South Australian library to experience
either sitting at the café tables, both inside and the effect of incorporating a café is Marion.
out, or on the lovely orange sofas.31 Staff suggest that an increase in loans and usage
has occurred primarily due to users being able
Although overall the café concept at Parklands to enjoy coffee whilst using the library.35 The
has been a great success, as with all new recently refurbished Findon library has also
ventures there are things to learn. Thompson included a café and an adjoining community
lists the key learning points as lounge area in its new look library, with council
representatives hoping the new facility will help
• establishing a clear and detailed lease to bring a very multicultural community
agreement for the café is vital together.36
• communicating expectations and sharing the
overall vision is crucial The State Library of South Australia has also
• testing assumptions on both sides of the embraced a café culture. Its café blends
partnership is an advantage. Whilst cafeteria and restaurant functions and although
fluctuations are generally part of library life, the situation is different because food or drink
for a commercial venture major fluctuations is not allowed in the library, the atmosphere
could mean serious financial problems. created is still similar. People can still gather
and enjoy a sociable time whilst sharing a
San José public libraries in California’s Silicon coffee, and are still within the greater confines
Valley is another group of libraries embracing of the library.37

Aplis 20(4) December 2007 149

Having food and drink freely available creates a conversations between individuals. Venues for
welcoming environment. The sense of smell in these conversations are often difficult to create.
creating a positive or negative first impression Interesting public spaces provide merely a
should not be underestimated, with the smell of framework. The daily details are supplied by
coffee often relating to comfort.38 International aware entrepreneurs who understand the
retail marketing consultant John Stanley importance of community and the concept of
believes it is only a matter of time until a major providing third places as gathering places for
coffee franchise, such as Starbucks, will it.42
consider a 1,000 square metre library a market
opportunity.39 An article published recently in Australasian
public libraries and information services
Conclusion suggests that public libraries have not just
In his book Oldenburg states that the common survived – they have thrived and cemented their
feature of any great civilisation or great city is position within the community. They have been
highly distinctive informal public gathering smart enough to learn from commercial
spaces. These include the pavement cafes of institutions and have not simply relied on
Paris, the forum of classical Rome, the many supplying a product. They have surveyed their
pubs that adorn the streets of London, the communities, formally and informally, and
piazzas of Florence and the tearooms of Japan. found a need to go beyond the traditional
These areas provide a link between the approach to library services, to target
individual and the larger community. He notes community concerns and needs. They have
that forged partnerships with other organisations
Life without community has produced, for many,
and government agencies to develop services
a life style consisting mainly of a home-to-work- and programs which until now have not been
and-back-again shuttle. Social wellbeing and considered core library business.43
psychological health depend upon community.40
The biggest challenge to libraries is consumer
The traditional third place described by stores such as Borders, Starbucks and
Oldenburg is the church. This was a safe McDonalds. These stores are aiming to become
meeting place for many communities, and was consumer third places – somewhere to go after
later replaced by the village green. Over time work and before home. Libraries are, however,
society has found other third places such as the placed perfectly to become the next third place,
local pub, the corner drugstore and coffee but the challenge is to create a consumer
shops. Simply because of what they are and mindset. To do this library administrators must
how highly they are used, public libraries are brand and market themselves well in the local
now in the perfect position to become the next community. Third places are not just about
great good third place. coffee, and they are not simply about branding.
They offer much more. In Oldenburg’s words
An article published by a US organisation What suburbia cries for are the means for people
dedicated to creating and sustaining public to gather easily, inexpensively, regularly, and
places that build communities, suggests that the pleasurably – a place on the corner, real life
core purpose of a public library is the fostering alternatives to television, easy escapes for the
of democratic participation through access to cabin fever of marriage and family life that do
information and ideas. All of the evidence not necessitate getting into an automobile.44
suggests libraries are much more than books,
reading rooms and information. Through So why should libraries bother with cafés? With
community partnerships and public programs some library staff suggesting they create more
libraries are converting physical spaces into trouble than they are worth, it may take a brave
community places whilst enhancing the civic manager to accept the challenge to provide
sphere. The evolving aspects of the library coffee in the library. Simply by their business,
indicate a radical restructuring of their place in libraries are places where members of the
society, with the potential to redefine the village community gather to obtain information in a
green.41 sociable atmosphere. The goal of any good
library manger should be to use this existing
Creating community is a worthy goal, but is social environment to expand on their library’s
often beyond the capability of any government influence in the community. The idea of
department. Community happens from providing great service, giving people a reason

150 Aplis 20(4) December 2007

to spend time in the library and simply for 3 Bryson, J, Usherwood, R and Procter, R
enjoyment is too great an opportunity to Libraries must also be buildings?: new library
disregard. As indicated by two different US impact study re:source, the Council for museum,
writers, cafés inside libraries are helping to archives and libraries 2003 www.cplis.
shef.ac.uk/New%20Library%20Impact%20Stud
create a sense of place and are creating friendly
y.pdf accessed 18 August 2007
and inviting spaces.45,46 4 Meyrick, K Public libraries as the 3rd place –
what does this mean? paper presented to the
As Australians strive to fill the values gap and Public libraries building balance, Public
restore balance there will be a need to identify Libraries Australia conference Adelaide 6-7
ways to satisfy the human herd instinct. This August 2007
could be through book clubs, eating out, mature 5 Stanley, J Future retail strategy 2004
education classes and community groups and http://johnstanleyassoc.typepad.com/john_stanle
activities. A paper presented to a Friends of y_associates/library_articles/index.html
Libraries Australia conference by Australian accessed 21 August 2007
social researcher Hugh Mackay suggests there 6 Putnam, R Bowling alone New York, Simon &
Schuster 2000
is an opportunity for the library to become the 7 qv Bundy, A Places of connection: new public
new village green, a place where people meet and academic library buildings in Australia and
not just to borrow books, but to discuss ideas New Zealand paper presented to the Library
and topical issues, to participate in community buildings conference Bournemouth UK 5-6
events, to hear authors speak and generally to February 2004
connect with the world of ideas.47 This is good 8 qv Ferguson, D Developing social capital:
news for public libraries. Australian and New Zealand Friends of
Libraries Australasian public libraries and
Although much of the literature provides a US information services 19(1) 2006 pp26-30
perspective on libraries as the next third place 9 Libraries / building / communities A research
report for the Library Board of Victoria and the
and the role cafés play in connecting
Victorian Public Library Network. Melbourne,
communities, there has been a recent increase in State Library of Victoria 2005
the Australian literature. Australian libraries are http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/about/information/pu
changing, with many local authorities blications/policies_reports/plu_lbc.html
recognising the importance of building social 10 Moen, N New libraries and new spaces for
capital and accepting that public libraries are in community outcomes: Christchurch City
a very good position to build community and Libraries’ strategy, in Bundy, A ed Places and
social connectivity. Libraries have always been spaces: public libraries for the 21st century in
much more than books and reading rooms. Australian and New Zealand: conference
Through community partnerships and public proceedings Adelaide, Auslib Press 2006
11 qv Moen ibid
programs libraries are now converting their
12 Bourke, C Public libraries: partnership, funding
spaces into community places. and relevance Australasian public libraries and
information services 20(3) 2007 pp135-139
Cafés are helping to create these spaces by 13 Oldenburg, R The great good place: cafés,
providing relaxed friendly environments whilst coffee shops, bookstores, bars, hair salons, and
contributing another element to the building of other hangouts at the heart of a community New
partnerships. If Oldenburg and his fellow York, Marlowe & Company 1999
researchers are correct, and society thrives on 14 Lawson, K Libraries in the USA as traditional
conversation and contact, then libraries are and virtual ‘third places’ New library world
perfectly positioned to become the next great 105(1198/1199) 2004 pp125-130
good places. 15 Oldenburg 1999 op cit p42
16 Gold Coast City Council Fifteen qualities of
good urban design 2007 www.goldcoast.qld.
gov.au/t_standard.aspx?pid=4964 accessed 23
References August 2007
1 Oldenburg, R Our vanishing ‘third places’ 17 Follent, P The civic value of libraries should not
Planning Commissioners journal 25 winter be underestimated, in Bundy, A ed Places and
1996/97 pp6-10 spaces: public libraries for the 21st century in
2 qv Bundy, A The modern public library: the Australian and New Zealand: conference
very best investment your community can make. proceedings Adelaide, Auslib Press 2006
An information, issues and discussion paper for 18 Sannwald, W Early planning for a new library,
Friends of Libraries groups in Australia 2005 in McCabe, G and Kennedy, J eds Planning the
www.fola.org.au/pdfs/modern publiclibrary.pdf modern public library building Westport
accessed 18 August 2007 Connecticut, Libraries Unlimited 2003

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19 Bromberg, P Library as place Library garden 32 San José Public Library Coffee in the library
2006 http://librarygarden.blogspot.com accessed program expanding 2007 http://www.sjlibrary.
14 August 2007 org/index.htm accessed 7 September 2007
20 Moore, R New life for older libraries: the 33 Rowe, E Libraries are casting off their
Joondalup Libraries strategy, in Bundy, A ed traditional stuffy image; a coffee, a relaxing
Places and spaces: public libraries for the 21st break and a good read The (Adelaide)
century in Australian and New Zealand: Advertiser 17 May 2003
conference proceedings Adelaide, Auslib Press 34 Hurt, J Pcs, cds, coffee and a book – the new
2006 library The (Adelaide) Advertiser 25 November
21 Schull, D Libraries and placemaking Project for 2002
public spaces 2007 www.pps.org/info/ 35 ibid
newsletter/april2007/library_placemaking 36 Iannella, A No quiet please at the library The
accessed 14 August 2007 (Adelaide) Advertiser 4 October 2007
22 Hillenbrand, C A place for all: social capital at 37 Lloyd, T Café culture The (Adelaide) Advertiser
the Mount Barker Community Library, South 29 September 2004
Australia Australasian public libraries and 38 Bromberg op cit
information services 18(2) 2005 pp41-58 39 Stanley, J Retail technology applications and
23 qv Mackenzie, C Creating our future: workforce their role in the modern library , in McCabe, G
planning for Library 2.0 and beyond and Kennedy, J eds Planning the modern public
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services 20(3) 2007 pp118-124 Libraries Unlimited 2003
24 Trelease, J Reflections on the ‘new’ book stores 40 Oldenburg 1996/97 op cit p7
2001 www.trelease-on-reading.com/whats 41 Schull op cit
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journal 15 August 2004 http://www.library 1996-97 p8
journal.com/article/CA443911.html accessed 14 43 Bourke op cit
August 2007 44 Oldenburg 1996/97 op cit p6
26 Pierce, W Library cafés: next logical step 45 MacLeod op cit
LIBRES: library and information science 46 Pierce op cit
research electronic journal 7(1) 1997 47 Mackay, H Australia at a turning point Friends
27 MacLeod, L Lattes ’n libraries The bottom line: of Libraries Australia conference Sydney 2002
managing library finances 11(3) 1998 pp97-100 http://www.fola.org.au/news/papers/hugh
28 Pierce op cit mackay.htm accessed 18 September 2007
29 Hadden, L Cafés or coffee bars in public
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accessed 2 August 2007 century: rethinking public libraries for new
30 Moen op cit communities, in Bundy, A ed Places and spaces:
31 Thompson, S The Parklands boutique library public libraries for the 21st century in Australian
Christchurch Australasian public libraries and and New Zealand: conference proceedings
information services 19(2) 2006 pp56-69 Adelaide, Auslib Press 2006

Cathryn Harris BA(Lib&InfSc) has worked in public libraries since 1984 and
from April 2005 has been the library manager for the City of Mount Gambier in
South Australia. Her interest in the third place concept has developed from the
planning process for Mount Gambier’s new public library. She is also
completing her masters degree in library and information management. Address:
10 Watson Terrace Mount Gambier SA 5290 tel(08)87212541
[email protected]

152 Aplis 20(4) December 2007