Written by Tully Connor
If there’s one thing I know, it’s third spaces. And when it comes to third spaces, there is little else that I hold closer to my heart than libraries. Most people, when picturing libraries, focus on the obvious: it being a space for books and quiet. I’m sure many parents of toddlers, and our elderly will recognise it as a communal space, to keep boredom at bay. But to me, libraries shimmer with revolutionary potential – something deeper and more radical. Yet Australia has not embraced this opportunity with welcoming arms.
See, Australia has a problem. Those who aren’t objectively adorable, or as economically productive, are quietly blown off and often forgotten. Who is this demographic? Teenagers and young people. Where else is this more glaringly obvious than our public library services and their community programs? Looking at the agenda of libraries all over Australia, the glaring gap becomes obvious: there are few if any programs for teens and young adults (with a few exceptions! Shout out to WA, Victoria and NSW for at least attempting to make an effort to shift the tide). While there are story times galore, mahjong in the middle of the day, and knitting at 6 on a Wednesday night, the times when young people are statistically the most likely to engage in risky behaviour, 3-6 pm , is brimming with potential that hasn’t been realised. Take a second to imagine your local library setting up teen hours, after school each day, and on the weekends, with librarians with specialised youth training, and programs that facilitate young people's participation in community and connection. Word on the street is that the country is full of ‘uncivilised youth’ on the streets, causing havoc and ruckus, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of demonising. Now, while I recognise that library programs will not be a magical solution to fix all these issues, if councils and governments commit to co-designing these local programs to fit the needs of the young community , and funding specialised youth librarians, this statistically will lead to a positive domino effect that can lead to a decrease in young people engaging in risky activities . There may not be a cool librarian fairy godmother, but there is evidence supporting this change, which is pretty close if you ask me.
How do we know that this is the case if Australia as a whole has been so slack on recognising the potential of dedicated youth spaces in libraries? Luckily, our good pals the Yanks have one thing pretty down pat. For years, youth spaces in local libraries have been staples of American residential areas. Often with whole wings or floors dedicated to the 13-25 age range, these spaces have specially trained library staff, programs to help at-risk or bored youth, and have been a radical and innovative investment in the community for many years. Most major cities in the States have dedicated “teen centres” with the latest data indicating that 82% of American public libraries have dedicated teen engagement strategies and programs . I rarely feel more jealous than when I see those videos of American youth librarians showing off the resources they have available…bean bags, teen open mic nights, youth poetry readings, and study help and podcasts. Then we have local teen-written magazines, podcasts, and snacks to eat after school, while you game on a variety of consoles with new friends. When I think of my Utopia, this is what comes to mind.
How is Australia’s youth supposed to come together in safe, engaging and semi-structured environments if they aren’t given the opportunity? Australia’s young people aren’t the bad guys, nor as silly as the media may lead you to believe. They are smart, kind, engaged and interesting if only they are given the chance. You become what you have access to, and if given access to wonderful third spaces within environments such as the local public library, our young people will become community-focused and civically engaged. So why wouldn’t our leaders want to take the chance to fund these programs?
