Palaces for the People Virtual Discussions

Libraries as Social Infrastructure Virtual Discussion is wrapping up with Part 6 (Ahead of the Storm and Before We Lift the Next Shovel). These last two chapters talk about the challenges and responses to a changing environment and creating the world we want to live in. Discussion questions and additional resources are now ready to use.

The team hopes you’ve enjoyed the discussion of the themes and ideas from Eric Klinenberg's book Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life, you can join in any time! You can go back to Part 1 , Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5 at any time. Sign up here so we know who is participating (even if you don't add to the discussions).

Each folder contains a discussion document and a document with additional resources. Reading the book is great, but not required, you can check out the additional resources to learn about some of the themes or delve a little deeper.
 
There are extra copies of the book and audiobook in Overdrive so hopefully wait time will not be too difficult.  You might also want to purchase a copy for yourself, or maybe your library has a copy.
 
If you have questions, please contact:
 
Leah Langby (langby@ifls.lib.wi.us)
Mark Jochem (mjochem@scls.info)
Shawn Brommer (sbrommer@scls.info)
Jean Anderson (jean@scls.info)

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Posted 6/11/2020:
Libraries as Social Infrastructure Virtual Discussion Part 5 (Common Ground) is now available! Part 5, Common Ground covers timely topics of public spaces, institutional racism, and meeting with people who don’t share the same views. Discussion questions and additional resources are ready for you to use. 
 
If you want to participate in the discussion of the themes and ideas from Eric Klinenberg's book Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life, you can join in any time! You can go back to Part 1 , Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.  Sign up here so we know who is participating (even if you don't add to the discussions).

​Each folder contains a discussion document and a document with additional resources. Reading the book is great, but not required, you can check out the additional resources to learn about some of the themes or delve a little deeper.
 
There are extra copies of the book and audiobook in Overdrive so hopefully wait time will not be too difficult.  You might also want to purchase a copy for yourself, or maybe your library has a copy.

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Posted 5/21/2020:
​Libraries as Social Infrastructure Virtual Discussion  Part 4 (Healthy Bonds) is now available! Part 4, Healthy Bonds, touches on a wide range of topics that impact communities of all sizes including: food security, the Opioid Epidemic, and aging and living in communities. Discussion questions and additional resources are ready for you to use. 
 
If you want to participate in the discussion of the themes and ideas from Eric Klinenberg's book Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life, you can join in any time! You can go back to Part 1 , Part 2, or Part 3.  Sign up here so we know who is participating (even if you don't add to the discussions).

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Posted 5/11/2020:

​Palaces for the People/Libraries as Social Infrastructure Discussion - Part 3 (Learning Together) is now available!  Discussion questions and additional resources are ready for you to use.
 
If you want to participate in the discussion of the themes and ideas from Eric Klinenberg's book Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life, you can join in any time!  You can go back to Part 1 or Part 2.  Sign up here so we know who is participating (even if you don't add to the discussions).

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Posted 4/23/2020:

Palaces for the People virtual book discussion Part 2.

Thank you all who participated in the Part 1 discussion! (It’s not too late to participate. See below for details.)

Connect with colleagues and continue the discussion of: Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life by Eric Klinenberg. For this part of the discussion, we’ll move onto Chapter 2 ‘Safer Spaces.’ The main themes include, but are certainly not limited to: safety and public spaces.

Share your own perspectives and experience and engage with others as we discuss virtually. Make it your own by adding photos, images, and links to other resources in addition to written responses to the discussion questions.

To participate:

• Sign up here any time
• If you want to read the book, here are some options:
  • Available on Overdrive/Libby in audiobook and e-book format (there are extra copies, purchased for this project)
  • Purchase a paperback from Indiebound.org
• If you can’t get a hold of the book, don’t have time to read it, or want to delve further, please check the additional resources!  We have articles, interviews, podcasts, and videos that address the same themes as each chapter.
• You can join in by adding to the discussion asynchronously.

​Missed Part 1? No worries! You can still contribute to the discussion. Use the Sign Up form and then click here.

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Posted 4/16/2020:

Looking for ways to connect with others during this time of physical distancing?  
 
While it might seem ironic/counter-intuitive to discuss the library’s place in the center of community during this time when our physical library buildings are closed, now is a great time to connect with your colleagues and discuss ways that public libraries are the foundation for social infrastructure in our communities.
 
This discussion will be based on the book Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life by Eric Klinenberg.  See below for options on reading the book and to find other resources (in case you don’t have time for the book or can’t access it).
 
We’ll release a section of questions and resources every 2 weeks.  Part One, about the themes in the Introduction and Chapter One, is available now.

​To participate:

•  Sign up here any time
• If you want to read the book, here are some options:
  • Available on Overdrive/Libby in audiobook and e-book format (there are extra copies, purchased for this project)
  • Purchase a paperback from Indiebound.org
• If you can’t get a hold of the book, don’t have time to read it, or want to delve further, please check the additional resources!  We have articles, interviews, podcasts, and videos that address the same themes as each chapter.
• You can join in by adding to the discussion asynchronously.