Beyond books: Academic libraries as third places

For many young adults, attending college is their first time living away from home. Sharing new spaces, such as dormitories or apartments, often with complete strangers, while navigating academic environments, can be challenging. “Third places” are physical areas that are neither home nor work. “Third spaces” are metaphysical spaces attached to “third places” that help students foster social interactions in safe, stress-free conditions. The university library, once considered a cliché for its quiet study environment, can be an ideal third space for students. The challenge lies in encouraging students to engage with the library and explore its offerings beyond academic resources. Mississippi State University (MSU) Libraries has developed several different practices to encourage library use and to create a safe and comfortable third space on campus. By actively soliciting student feedback, the MSU Libraries has renovated physical spaces of the library and created programs that cater to the whole student. These practices, among others, are ways to give students ownership and thus position the library as a vital third space.