Solve your isolation problem with a library card (The idea of third Places)
Video Overview & Insights
The Library is a place I use to get out of the house in a way that goes beyond books. We have a significant lack of "third places" in our world, and with prices going up and rules getting stricter - while also living farther apart from our immediate friends and family, we need to find something to do...
As a working librarian, I wanted to say thanks for promoting public libraries! If your local library doesn't have something that interests you, talk to a librarian and make some suggestions. Library staff are usually very eager to take patron feedback into consideration. We try our best to accommodate patron needs. Many states and regions allow folks to have multiple library cards, too, so you are not just limited to your local library and its branches. You can often take advantage of other libraries in nearby communities.
Simply having a library card and checking out physical or digital media adds to library stats and helps libraries to prove their worth. Other things you can do to help include: attending library events, filling out surveys (when offered), voting in favor of library levies, voting for pro-library city council and/or school board members, donating to Friends' groups, writing to your representatives in support of libraries, and telling friends and family about your library either online or in-person.
And, I think a lot of us have coped at one point or another using "hustle culture" to make us feel like we're actually doing something, but really, I'm finding that its just us feeling stuck. Here's a video dedicated to helping us form stronger community bonds, at one of the last great institutions we have left... The local library.
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So true! And so overlooked.
Singapore is trying to hack the notion in a few ways: https://youtu.be/rkTCufHqQDM?si=UsgxkbBhk-ksPymu
💡More videos on https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQTWqmezM6PmM1mfY4-4efhaMHa5BG1Aj&si=37iB5B3gpE2q-6F0
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It's 2025, no one is driving, going through the hassle of parking in a city, to then sit inside a place where homeless people beat off, we have the internet.
🌳More videos on https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQTWqmezM6PkkxCwlW9u5_IabMavXrvlj&si=J-dzZoryclYgj-O6
🎬 I made a BEAUTIFUL 30 minute SILENT FILM about a journey across the country I took with a close friend. If you have the time to sit down and relax, you can view it here https://youtu.be/1C3CJAXKWdY?si=osvVLvhpBS7Pi686
"Our library here is small and not very attractive. The hardware facilities, I think, aren’t great. However, on weekdays, retirees come to read books, newspapers, magazines, or borrow books. Upstairs, there are people studying for exams. In the afternoons, parents bring their kids to borrow books. On Saturdays, the library often holds events, such as local language classes, traditional puppet recognition and crafting, storytelling for kids, and coffee brewing technique workshops. Therefore, the usage rate is very high. Moreover, books from other libraries can be borrowed online and then picked up or returned at our local library, so there’s no need to go to other libraries. It’s very convenient. The books I buy myself often sit unfinished, but I usually finish the books I borrow from the library, probably because of the return deadline. Sometimes, I notice that a book I borrowed from the library has been read by many people—say, 20 borrowers—but it’s still clean and well-kept. It feels like the book has been cherished. It seems like the people who borrowed it were very gentle. Through this book, it’s as if I have some kind of connection with the other readers."
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👋 ABOUT ME:
I joined a craft group at one of my local libraries. I'm in my 30s and the majority of people who turn up are women over 50 (some in their 80s!). We have become good friends and learn a lot from each other. I have learnt a lot of crafting skills from them, and they learn how to use their smartphones from me haha. It's been life changing for us all and im so grateful we have this space in the library. Also, once you turn up to the library regularly, you end up finding even more things to do in the library or in your local area generally. Our library is also filling a lot of gaps that the government is failing - the librarians are amazing at helping people find the services they need such as food banks or applying for welfare. It is frustrating that every year our library is under threat of closure. It already had the number of days a week its open cut down to 4.
Hi I'm Chris & my page is called Nomad Over Normal because you’re here to find alternatives to what is conventionally seen as a “normal” life. This makes us nomads, and we’re forming a community here together.
My background is in documentary filmmaking, as a commercial cinematographer and as a lighting technician on some of your favorite TV shows.
The problem with the library is I don’t like reading books.
Location: New Jersey, United States
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I get it!
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All I ask is for you to hit the like button if you have forgotten to.
This inspired me to sign up for a d&d session at my local library
If it’s not too much to ask, leave a comment with what resonated in you about this video. This feedback helps me create better content without second guessing what people may enjoy.
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I just discovered your channel because of your video on physical media.
Coincidentally, I just got my first public library card.
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I love libraries (always did) and I‘m a member of two libraries from the city where I live and the one I lived before. I am still in both for the online books and audios they provide. I wish they would do more things like you mentioned in our libraries here in Germany. We definetly need more third places 😃👍
Code: "Nomad 10" to support the channel:)
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Library closes too early and isn't social enough.
Socials, Contacts, and everything you want to know about me:
https://zaap.bio/Nomadovernormal
Since your other video, I've gotten a library card! Our household definitely used to go a lot more, but then we moved and stopped going. I'm still looking into what my local libraries have that would interest me to use them more, but so far Libby, the smartphone app, has already helped me a ton. Still don't read though, lol.
More User Perspectives
But I'm a minor so I can't go anywhere without an adult with me
@riqvanwinkleGo to church!
@aliyamathiesen7290Normal chill spots have dissappeared long before 2020. Consumerism is destroying lives
@TheBigBadWolf1100funny how you colour your eyes on the thumbnail
@luffysh❤❤❤
@kathyaclaude4966My library has ‘a free to take and bring’ costume rails for Christmas jumpers, Hallowe’en and World Book Day costumes. These garments can end up being expensive and can end up in landfill. Saving pennies and the planet, plus getting whole families into the library…what’s not to love??
@susanvanzyl4007My libraries near me are awesome one has movie days and the other one has 3d printers
@erniehernandez7162My library is my 3rd place, i go there a couple times a week and Ive pretty much gone to every Discover and Go location too. I wish i could host a themed bookish movie marathon. I do them at home alone but it would be so much fun to do them with others. For example, tomorrow im beginning an Anne of Green Gables (1985) marathon. I have Rasberry cordial (rasberry lemonade) lemon cookies, scones with lemon curd or cherry preserves, chicken salad and egg salad. It's going to be fun ❤
@AdventureswithOndineI'm obsessed with libraries but the ones in my city mostly close at 5pm and all are closed on Sundays. Obviously for most working adults that pretty much cancels it out as a third space :'(
@maggiea3154My library is amazing. The have all kinds of programs for everyone on a lot of topics. We learned the basics of dungeons and dragons and met new friends in our area because of their “dragons in the library” day 😁
@Free_ThePeopleLoved this video! I'm a big advocate for libraries.
@ReadingintheRedwoodsAny video talking about the perks of the local library is an immediate like. And the idea of playing board games at the library sounds like so much fun !
Also if you want to get back into a reading habit, go to your library’s website and join their seasonal reading challenge. AND if your ADHD requires body doubling, then there are libraries that has silent book clubs ❤
This is good advice, especially once you retire and there's no more workplace.
@MsMorganGirlsSome cafes and non profit organizations hold events in my country and thats how i do it, we all need a community. We all need a purpose. Activism did that for me❤
@oiku4408First of all, libraries are a great social service.
That said, all of the problems your library 'solves' are self-inflicted. Coffee shops, diners, and bars are dying for people to come in and the idea that you're 'isolated by technology' is a problem of your own design. As is this obligation to make every time someone comes over an "event" as you put it. And religious beliefs/issues aside, the nationwide decline of organized religion is a major factor here.
Even so, the "lack of third spaces" complaint just doesn't hold water. The amount of businesses that would love people to come in and spend just a couple bucks is hard to count. Go to a bar, coffee, shop, restaurant, diner, bowling alley, arcade, driving range, park, gym, movie theater, bookstore, hiking trail, mall, climbing gym, local men's or women's club, or a million other options if you just really can't stand the idea of going to your friends' places. And if you can't afford any of these, including a $2 cup of black coffee, you've got bigger problems to worry about than adequate places to socialize.
my library has absolutely nothing fun to do.
@handshakes76As someone who sells coffee and books, I love my local library. Mine has a café too. Don't usually take part in much of their events, but I can sit and read with or without a coffee. They have free Wi-Fi, they do chess tables (and other board games too) through the week and community puzzles to be completed too. All good stuff.
@MakreadsLOVE
@vanessasaurI saw that you have American Graffiti in your bag! When I was 14, I wanted to check other work George Lucas had done besides Star Wars, and so I went to Amoeba and bought that exact copy of the movie with the original and its sequel. Ever since I watched it it has been my favorite, even 16 years later.
Also, I just started attending my local city library as they've begun hosting movie screenings in their projection room this summer. I've made some suggestions and it appears some of them were considered for the Halloween season.
hi nomad need youtube thumbnails designer at cheap rates?
@syedabdussubhan786I use Libby (the app) almost every day to isten to free Audiobooks (just need your library card number).
Also, no ads is so nice.
One antidote to feeling isolated can be volunteering, so think about becoming a library volunteer or joining your Friends of the Library organization.
@janetwise3248Yo you kinda look like jacksepticeye
@ChrailblazerI love the library! thank you for sharing this Magic’s place 🫶
@lilacdoodzquestion for a video: have you ever given or gotten a wedgie? whats the story
@lenalauren6784I live in a small town, and the library is a big part of our community. There’s always events around the clock for all types of people and ages. Also, any type of skills you want to learn there’s a class for that.
@BetaBetaZZchurch
@RalphAnthonyCBascoI started attending a chess club that meets in a rented room in our local bakery. It was a game changer for me. HA!!! I love the idea of the library being a place to meet people. Awesome!
@DvorahDavida5778I love love love libraries! I don’t live in the US and in my country people don’t really care about libraries so ours don’t offer anything really. That is so very upsetting because I wish it did. I would live there basically lol God willing I’m moving to the US next year for college, though. And one of the first things I want to do is go to the library 🙂
@Idd1eforTaylorSwift4256Good ADVICE!
@charlesrapasky4548I love your video. I was raised by my grandparents. We always had big family dinners & family game night. I miss those days! ❤ Now these days it's hard to get my own family involved in a good sit down family dinner & family game night. Even though I know they are too busy to spend good quality family time for just one evening... I just recently updated my library card to use the Libby app. As I love doing reading challenges in my spare time.
@caroldedeurwaerder2660I attended our library's first English-Spanish conversation club this week. It was so fun! I'm a long time heavy library user, I attend a book club monthly and take my kids to all kinds of activities thw library puts on. And I could never ever afford to buy all thw things we check out.
@Katie_knitting_snailThanks for sharing this! My library has tons of events. Painting, crafting, 3D printing labs, concerts, movie theater, crochet groups, etc etc. I’ve had a great time at every event. I keep hoping that if I become a ‘regular’ I’ll make some
Friends but each time I go it’s different people. 😂
I literally tell people this all the time. My library has maker's space (sewing machines, cricut cutters, 3D printers etc), computer game rooms for both teen and tween, a performance space, computer rooms and color printing......and on and on. There's even a performance space in one of the branches! I tell folks, your tax dollars are already paying for this, but it's free to use. And don't even get me stated on the audio and kindle books and magazines....The library is a hidden gem!
@tammygant4216I hope this gets more views and your channel grows. This video is fantastic! Well done ❤️
@Kiwi-dl3srMy library is so dry when it comes to events tbh, everything is either for kids/teens, the elderly, or people learning English as a second language. all of those are important obviously but I wish there was stuff for younger people who are no longer in school.
@_kaleidoI love the library but I can't afford transportation 😔
@doglockstudios2326I like this idea of a "third place" but not collecting media junk.
@ShelterDogs