Authors Ray Oldenburg and Karen Christensen coined the phrase “third place” in their books: “The Great Good Place” and “The Great Good Place II.” Third places are informal spaces we can go to strengthen social bonds. Our homes are the “first place” and work is the “second place.”  For many college students, their schedules are packed with either work or school. It’s not always easy to make time to go out and be social, especially with how expensive things are these days. A night out isn’t always in the budget. That’s why third places are so important. They offer locations that help cultivate social interaction and are sometimes free! Examples of third places can be cafes, parks, clubs, and libraries. Libraries are one of the best third places a college student can utilize, especially the ones on their own campuses. For NECC students, these would be the Bentley Library on the Haverhill campus, and the Lawrence Campus Library in the Dimitry building.

According to The Great Good Place there are seven characteristics a third place must have:

1) They’re open and inviting

Libraries are open to everyone, and the librarians that work there-especially the Northern Essex librarians-are always so inviting and happy to see everyone that comes in. A staff member who works at the Bentley library said “This place is free and belongs to all of you, it’s for everyone.”

Libraries are a place where everyone can of course go to find the books and information they might need. But it’s also a place they can sit and relax, meet up with friends to study, or cram for deadlines.

2) They’re comfortable and informal

There’s no expectations for those coming into the library. It welcomes you as you are, in your best outfit or your pajamas. The library is a safe space to be yourself and even figure yourself out.

The Bentley staff member reflected on their time in school, and what the library meant to them. 

“I got my library card when I was five, you never forget that. And when you get to college you can start to expand your mind, and it gives you freedom.”

3) They’re convenient

For students of course there’s nothing more convenient than what’s right there available on campus. But public libraries are also a very convenient option. Every town has one and most of them are accessible by a trip on the city bus. The Haverhill Public Library for example, is about seven minutes from campus, and it offers many of the same resources.

Karlee Martin, a librarian who works in the reference department at the Haverhill Public Library stated: “Libraries are one of few “third spaces” left where people can stop in to connect with their community and access resources for free, which makes it an especially essential resource for college students.”

Besides a space for college students to use, the Haverhill Library offers several resources that can be incredibly useful. Such as access to websites that can help you learn a language, listen to music, watch movies and shows, and more. The library also offers passes to museums, the beach, and other locations you can get with your library card. “Borrow a museum pass through HPL for discounted or free admission at select locations!” Martin wrote in her email. 

4) They’re unpretentious

When visiting any library, be it the NECC libraries or a public library, there are a variety of comfortable seating options to fit your needs. Take the Bentley Library for example. There’s couches by the window that offer a lovely view of the campus. During the fall it’s even more beautiful with the foliage. There’s tables for group projects so everyone can brainstorm together. The library also offers secluded tables in the back section, for independent studying.

There are a lot of options but it remains a simple and cozy place that works for anyone and everyone. 

The Haverhill Library offers options like this as well. Additionally, both libraries offer private study rooms you can reserve for individual or group study sessions. 

5) There are regulars that attend

“We wait for them, we wait for our regulars.” The Bentley Library staff member said. They commented that they often see the same groups of students come in to use the library and enjoy the space. They expressed how happy they were to see those students come back again and again, and that the library means something to them. 

“And in the summer, we wonder what they’re off doing and hope they’re doing well. Then when they come back it’s always nice to see them again.” They said. 

6) Conversation is the main activity

When people think of libraries they might not always think of conversations; they might think of a quiet place to study. However, libraries always have several fun events going on that can help create new friendships, and strengthen pre-existing ones. For example, the Bently Library has their next book club meeting on Oct. 30 at 1 p.m.. They will be discussing “The Bewitching” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. They also will have a Zine making workshop on Nov. 3 from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The NECC librarians work so hard to ensure that there is always something fun for students to look forward to. It gives them opportunities to be brought together in a way they possibly wouldn’t have before. 

It’s not just campus libraries either. The Haverhill Public Library has several events happening in the near future. On Nov. 1 at 1:30 p.m. they’ll be having a Collage Club meeting. On Nov. 4 they have a meeting of the Fiber Arts Group. They have several activities happening every month. From craft groups, to book clubs, to even cookbook groups, there’s something for everyone and they’re always free!

A Northern Essex student who asked to be anonymous said they don’t use the libraries most of the time because they don’t need them very often. They are a music student, so their space is usually in the music department of the school. But they said that they go to the campus library to sit and spend time with people when their friends are there. 

They also mentioned how public libraries have affected their lives growing up. “I remember going with my family as a kid to pick out movies to watch over the weekend.” they said. If we all think back far enough, we can probably all come up with a way libraries have positively affected our lives.

7) Laughter is frequent

“I think libraries mean something different to each of us based on our experiences in these institutions and what we uniquely need from them,”  Martin wrote.

If you spend any time in either the campus libraries, or a public library; you will hear the sounds of joy. You’ll hear people laughing, or having deep conversations. Or you’ll hear the sound of nothing, of peace. But no matter what you hear, it will be the sound of people enjoying the space around them.

For more information about the NECC libraries you can visit: necc.edu/library

For more information about the Haverhill Public Library, you can visit: haverhillpl.org.