when you first posted this my initial reaction was "I hate libraries" but then I thought about it more and realized that my perspective specifically had to do with my grad day struggles - it had nothing to do with the actual function of the library lol.
With that being said, I did realize that libraries have been incredibly useful and helpful for me.
When I moved to Austin, I started a community improv group. We didn't have any free space to utilize at the time, and so we started at the library. It was the only free space available that we could utilize consistently.
It did get a bit awkward at times, especially when we were in the room that was right next to the book club or the guy giving an interview. In these instances the leader from the other room would step in and say "you guys mind keeping it down a bit." and I would think to myself, "Jesus, we're just warming up..."
Ultimately the library was what allowed us to keep the meetups going for over a year and a half until we found an official location to host our classes. So I will give it kudos there.
And random note: once I slept overnight in a library with a friend. This was quite literally one of the most epic experiences ever. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a crazy night lol.
I envision a library of the future being less about books and physical items, and more about a library of experiences. I think libraries should be a place to share, not to hush. Sure, there should be designated quiet areas, but the library should be a place where information is exchanged freely.
Ultimately, I think the concept of the library is on it's way to being a great model for our future.
RE: Radically Inclusive Sharing Economies : LIBRARIES! // The Next Economy #2