What’s of interest? Can libraries help solve our connection crisis? | by Reimagining the Civic Commons | Reimagining the Civic Commons | Nov, 2024 | Medium
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Shamichael Hallman is a cheerleader for public libraries.
His idea of what libraries can do — and should do — may not match up with the library of your childhood memories, however. Shamichael believes that libraries — when designed, managed and staffed with intention — are spaces where people can come together, bridge differences of race, income and belief, and engage with each other and the community in ways that support better health, greater happiness and even a healthy democracy.
How can libraries play a role in fostering health, happiness and human connection, you might ask? First you must consider some troubling trends facing America. An increase in loneliness is negatively impacting our health and our communities to the extent that the U.S. Surgeon General has deemed addressing social connection is a top priority for people and communities. We face a loss of trust in each other and in our shared institutions as well as growing economic segregation, with more Americans living apart in primarily low-income and primarily high-income communities.
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