In a time when academic life can feel overwhelmingly digital and impersonal, libraries are trying to step up to create something invaluable – a community. University libraries, which used to be primarily quiet spaces with towering bookshelves, are now reinventing themselves as inclusive ‘third places’. The University of Malta Library interns offer THINK an insight into how the Library is becoming a third place on Campus.
Popularised by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in The Great Good Place, the third place concept describes a communal environment outside home and work where people come together, socialise, and build meaningful connections. The University of Malta (UM) Library has embraced this transformation and is working to create a space where students, faculty, and community members alike can connect, research and engage in new and unexpected ways.
Rethinking the Academic Library
Traditionally, libraries have served as purely functional spaces, as repositories of knowledge for silent study or research. Today, however, a new vision is emerging: academic libraries are transforming into dynamic environments that invite collaboration, spark creativity, and encourage social interaction. This development taps directly into Oldenburg’s characteristics of a third place: a neutral, accessible place focused on social levelling, where social rank holds little significance. The UM Library embodies these values by fostering a welcoming and accommodating space for all. By creating zones that encourage comfort and relaxation, the UM Library enables its patrons to spend time without pressure or obligation, transforming the experience from a mere visit into an invitation to belong.
The UM Library’s flexible approach is reflected in its layout, accessibility, services and events. It creates a welcoming ‘home away from home’ and reflects a global shift in how academic libraries define their role in student life.
A Home Away from Home
The sense of belonging that defines third places is essential to student well-being, and the UM Library’s approach reflects this need for a calming, flexible environment. By creating a safe, low-stress space where students can study or unwind, the Library nurtures an atmosphere that supports both academic pursuits and community needs on campus.
Libraries worldwide are embracing these new ideals and redefining what students can expect from their university experience. For example, Boston University Libraries offer a thoughtful example by zoning their spaces according to noise levels: a collaborative area for group work, a considerate ‘coffee-shop’ environment (for some noise and interaction while still being mindful of others), and a silent area for focused study. This setup allows students to choose the environment that best suits their needs, accommodating various study habits. In addition, the Boston University Libraries partner with the Newbury Center for first-generation students to host reading retreats, allowing students to build connections while exploring library resources.
Their ‘Blind Date with a Book’ event further enriches the social atmosphere of the library by inviting students to explore new literature in a lighthearted, interactive way. By creating these purposeful spaces and engaging events, Boston University Libraries encourage students to feel at home and form valuable community bonds.
Similarly, this year, the UM Library hosted a ‘Borrow a Librarian’ event where patrons could ‘check out’ a librarian for a few minutes to discuss any research-related questions and/or simply to hang out and make a new friend at the Library. The event was quite a success, resulting in 14 requests within a week and further requests for the following month. Inspired by the Human Library initiative, this event promoted one-to-one connections between students, academics, and librarians, highlighting a demand for physical assistance that the UM Library could accommodate.
Libraries like Cunningham Library at Indiana State University have taken this concept further by incorporating game spaces and casual seating areas. These encourage students to linger, interact, and participate in community events like film series and symposia. By offering flexible, inviting spaces, these libraries redefine the traditional library as a dynamic, social, and learning environment that fulfils the third-place concept.
The Digital Connection
Digital media and social platforms offer yet another avenue for libraries to extend their reach and foster a sense of community. Many academic libraries use platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter to connect with students, share information about resources, and even host virtual tours and workshops. Temple University Libraries utilise YouTube to post tutorials and Q&A sessions, making library resources more accessible to students studying remotely or balancing busy schedules. Temple’s Charles Library also offers an innovation lab, a VR studio, and presentation practice rooms alongside its more traditional study areas, providing diverse spaces and resources to support both academic and social needs.
The UM Library has embraced social media as a powerful tool to reach and connect with a broader audience, fostering an online community that enhances campus life by encouraging interaction and engagement with Library events and resources. The Library offers various instructional videos and guides through the University of Malta’s official YouTube channel, helping students and faculty navigate and make the most of Library Services. This proactive approach enables users to access valuable guidance on research and resource utilisation anytime, supporting remote and on-campus learners.
The UM Library’s website and online resources also provide patrons with essential tools in a straightforward, user-friendly interface. By continually expanding its digital offerings – including ebooks, databases, journal articles, dissertations, and a range of academic resources – the UM Library is dedicated to making information accessible, supporting academic success and enriching the student experience through a seamless online platform. In this way, the Library creates a digital third place by providing online content and fostering an interactive presence on social media, inviting students to stay connected even when they are not physically present.
UM Library’s Role in the Academic Ecosystem
By embracing its role as a third place, the UM Library redefines its purpose within the academic ecosystem. It is no longer just a place to study or conduct research; it is a bridge connecting academia with the broader community, supporting intellectual pursuits and personal growth. This evolution reflects the Library’s commitment to creating a space where students, academics, and the community can collaborate, innovate and thrive.
Ultimately, as the UM Library continues to build its third-place qualities, it exemplifies a broader movement among academic libraries worldwide: a dedication to inclusivity, adaptability, and community engagement. In these ways, the UM Library is more than a place – it is an experience, an opportunity for connection and a vital part of the academic journey.
Disclaimer: This article was mainly written by Zoe Barman and Marine Rapaz, two library interns from Switzerland who spent three months working at the UM Library. Their perspectives reflect their insights into the UM Library and comparisons with other institutions they researched as part of their mobility program.
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