By Sophia Stuart
Photographs by Leia Watfa
If you went to Edison Middle School, you’ve probably spent countless hours at the Champaign Public Library and in their teen program. I had 2 hours and I always wanted to do everything- the crafts they offered, playing a game, talking with friends, doing homework. The library was what defined most of my day- when I would see friends, when I would read or work on my homework. A quiet part of the day, after a long day of school and before dealing with whatever lied at home, it was part social club, part day camp, part cafe.
Despite my fondness for it, the teen programming at the library has had to face some difficult logistical challenges. It was over by 4:30 and had to be cleaned up quickly. The room it was housed in was often crowded and loud, with little seating for those not doing an activity. The afterschool program has been around for almost 10 years and it was clearly outgrowing its space. The answer to these problems? The 8,000 sq ft basement, set aside for future development. The area was built 15 years ago in the last renovation of the library, but has only housed the used book store. It was the perfect place to build a new makerspace and activity room.
The studio is set to house the teenspace and other programs, but also the recent uptick of DIY interests in the community and technology workshops. It’s warm and inviting. It doesn’t feel like a library’s basement, where ancient tomes and yearbooks are stored in old boxes. It’s warm, bright, and it feels full of life. It’s colorful and beckoning, with space enough for people to mill about and places for people to sit. The Studio has a recording studio with two booths, set for editing video projects and recording music and podcasts, along with cameras and recording equipment to create videos, long form (i.e. videos, short films, etc.) and short form, (i.e. tiktoks and short clips). It has a new Cricut and Glowforge laser cutters, along with a place to house the 3D printers which have become a staple. Cricuts is a tool that cuts out materials like vinyl, paper, cardstock, etc. to make detailed patterns. It has a heat press option to make custom mugs along with other machines that they’ll offer. The Glowforge is a similar tool but for engraving materials like acrylic, wood, and leather.
I spoke to many librarians on our visit and they all emphasized the core of the Studio was to be adaptable and collaborative. I spoke with Maura Stuztman, the library’s program and events librarian, and she talked about her excitement to have a new studio space. When I asked about what goes into being a librarian, her answer was finding connections between the people and what they needed- the materials, the resources, or the other people. The library is a place where they have 1500 people coming in per day and they can just exist in the library- without having to buy something or feel pressured. She stressed the importance of the library’s function being easily accessible and somewhere everyone can come and enjoy the space. She was a kid once too- she remembers coming into the very beginning of their teen program.
When I talked to Tricia Duzan, the deputy director, she happily explained the new machines and programs they offered, along with her excitement over the community’s reaction to the new area and the transformation it’s undergone. She emphasized the flexibility of the new space, adapting to the needs of the community as they come up. Her word of advice? Use the elevator instead of the stair to get the full experience, the wow factor is doubled when those doors open.
Other staff also were excited about the new opportunities for teen space- Jenny and Connor, two of the people running the 3D printing space, were excited about the chances to beat kids at Mario Kart and having more space for the program. Everyone talked about their hopes to expand one day- with more tools and more opportunities for children to learn about what they’re passionate about.
The library has always been a spot for many to come and spend time, without pressure. As I talked to people, I recognized the concept and guiding principle each touched on. This concept has a name- third places, a place outside of work and home where people can connect overshared communities, coined by Ray Oldenburg, a sociologist, in his book “The Great Good Place”. Many places can be these- cafes, places of worship, even extracurricular activities like clubs or sports can be your third place. But my first real third place was the library. I had little interaction with others outside of home and school before going to middle school- but for many, as we grow older, these third spaces become vital.
Third Places are places where people find connections outside of the social groups, branching out into communities and ultimately making them stronger. The library is a collection of every part of society- it doesn’t cost anything to get a library card and everyone can have one. They have children’s programming and places where children can play and explore, their teen programming and their adult programming, teaching new skills and connecting people with resources. The library attracts artists and musicians, along with authors, giving them space to explore their art and share it with others. It’s not just 3D printing, or Mario Kart, or Cricuts and Glowforges, it’s all of it combined, into a potent community resource for connections.
The strongest social movements often have roots in these third places- barbershops, salons, and churches were the foundation of the civil rights movement. It was a bar, the Stonewall, that spurned the beginning of the gay rights movement. Coffee shops and taverns kickstarted the American revolution. The best collaboration comes from these places- places where people of all walks of life can come in and sit down. A place where everyone knows your name. Everyone needs a coffee, or their hair cut, or to have a drink and something to eat with friends, and everyone needs a book. The library is a third place that requires nothing from you- no time commitments, no plan, no money, not even a library card. With The Studio, they’re making an attempt at making a new third space, a place aimed at those who need a place to engage in the community.
What’s the takeaway? Go to the library! It’s free! It has computers, books, free wifi, a cafe (you do have to pay, but they have a nice collection of teas and coffee for those who indulge), and so much more. Make the library your third place. The Studio is open to the public on the weekends, so drop in Saturday (9-6) and Sunday (12-6) and reserve a time to try out the Cricut, Glowforge, or recording booths. In a world which can get confusing, complicated, and expensive, find the place where you can have no expectations- well, except, you might want to keep your voice down in the stacks. It is a library after all.
Very special thanks to everyone who I interviewed at the library! Everyone was super nice and helpful! Photo credit to Leia Watfa, my partner in crime, bound to expose the truth of the book smugglers.
The Centinal - Centennial High School's Online Publication 