NCompass Live: Digital Libraries as Digital Third Place: Virtual Library Programming
Channel: Nebraska Library Commission
Date: 2023-02-16

Recorded on February 15, 2023.
NCompass Live - http://nlc.nebraska.gov/NCompassLive/

 Virtual library programming in the era of social media, online education and the loneliness epidemic

The role of libraries as "Third Place" – community building spaces that separate from home and work -- has been noted ever since Ray Oldenberg described the concept in his book, "The Great Good Place." While both academic and public libraries continue to serve in this role as physical third places, what about in an online environment? Simply offering online circulation and reference services is insufficient. This presentation will discuss recent research on loneliness, social media and how strategic design of virtual library programming can enable libraries to continue to fulfill their role as vital third places in digital environments.

Presenters: Jenny Haddon, Processing and Outreach Archivist, Assistant Professor, Calvin T. Ryan Library, University of Nebraska at Kearney; Craig Finlay, OER & STEM Librarian, Criss Library, University of Nebraska at Omaha.