Starbucks spectacular success owes as much to its offering neutral, comfortable, anonymous public space as to its coffee. Starbucks subtly promotes a sense of community – a place to meet and chat with friends or work clients as well as catch up on your laptop while not all alone at home. I’ve long been intrigued by the important role libraries offer with valued neutral, anonymous, yet public space. On college campuses today the library information commons has supplanted the two storied hallowed reading room as emblematic of this essential library function. (more…)
