The people's library
To some extent, we've all become more familiar with isolation.
This project seeks to proactively prevent both the physical and social isolation of older adults in Canadian suburbs. By creating spaces where the residents living in a shared locality can form these valuable connections with both formal and informal support structures, this will contribute towards healthier and more resilient communities.
Meet uncle steve
Uncle Steve is retired and living with his daughter and son-in-law, but apparently had a very active social life when he was younger and living in Hong Kong. It was hard to believe, because now that he’s older and living in the GTA he spends his time with only a few members of his family and close relatives. When he’s not meeting up with them, most days, he’s at the mall that’s one bus ride away from his home in Richmond Hill. It’s convenient. He goes there to keep himself active by walking around, and entertained by looking at all the stores and products on display. Sure beats staying at home, or exercising outside when the weather’s bad.
Hello!
a case for physical proximity
In some ways, the mall is a lot like the library. It’s a public space, not without its own rules, but it’s free to use and hang around in.
Neighbourhoods need these kinds of spaces that are for anyone and everyone. These shared public spaces are known as social infrastructure. It is where we open up and share ourselves and resources with others. Quality social infrastructure draws people out of their homes, to where they can be engaged in civic life.
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There’s a Chinese saying that goes: 遠親不如近隣. Google literally translates it to: distant relatives are not as good as neighbours.
What this pandemic and this saying both point at is that although we can connect online like this, we still need physical proximity. Being in the same room, the same time zone, and the same context adds something to our relationships that simply cannot be replicated by other means.
Especially for older adults who may have more physical needs than we do, having a neighbour who knows them, can deliver groceries to them, or help them up when they fall makes a huge difference.
the solution
So I designed a piece of social infrastructure by bringing people together in a familiar, yet new context.
My solution aims to prevent isolation in older adults by being placed where they’re most likely to spend a significant amount of their time, the mall.
The comfortable seating invites passersby to stay for a while, and the books are an option for entertainment while they’re there.
If the books themselves don’t start a conversation, the prompts behind them on the bookshelf give them a nudge to interact with others in the space.
The Toronto Public Library is in a good position to make these spaces a reality. Library volunteers can maintain the space, curate the books that go on the shelf, welcome people and answer any questions they may have about the space. And they evidently have the books to populate the shelves.
With branches located all over the city, many of which are in, next to or near a mall, it can be a way to bring the library to the people. Libraries are often perceived to be old-fashioned and non-essential parts of our city, but that is so far from the truth. They provide communities with indoor public space, resources like books and internet, and programming such as classes and workshops. They also provide valuable services such as connecting people with organizations that provide immigrant assistance.