Third places as spaces for democratic participation

Over the past six years, Aarhus Public Libraries have explored how libraries can contribute to and promote democratic participation.

This was the starting point for a community call in the Third Places Network, where Aarhus Public Libraries shared experiences and reflections as a starting point for a joint conversation about the topic.

Aarhus Public Libraries’ fundamental approach to democratic participation is inspired by the understanding of democracy developed by the Danish thinker Hal Koch (1904–1963). This means seeing democracy as more than a form of government. Democracy is also a mindset, a way of life, and an ongoing conversation between citizens – where our democratic self-confidence and our willingness to listen, including to those whose experiences and opinions differ from our own, are essential for democracy to remain alive and strong.

What does such an understanding of democracy mean for third places?

Our experience from Aarhus Public Libraries is that third places can strengthen democratic engagement in several ways.

First, they provide free and equal access to knowledge and culture. Access to reliable information, literature, and cultural experiences enables people to participate in democratic life on an informed basis.

Second, they function as public spaces. Simply sharing a space with people we do not already know can strengthen social cohesion. At a time when many interactions take place in carefully curated digital environments, open public spaces remain places where we encounter difference in everyday life.

Third, they act as community hubs. Literary walks, creative workshops, sewing circles, or community meals can all help strengthen the social fabric by creating connections between people.

Finally, third places can create room for public discourse, debate, and disagreement. Through conversations, debates, and meetings between citizens and politicians, third places can offer spaces where people meet across differences – not necessarily to reach consensus, but to better understand one another.

These four dimensions have become a useful way for us to understand the democratic role of libraries. They are of course not a blueprint that every third place should follow, but they may serve as a starting point for conversations about how each individual place can contribute to strengthening democracy.

The community call confirmed our belief that third places have an important role to play in strengthening democratic societies. At the same time, the conversation showed the value of sharing experiences and perspectives on how this potential can be realised in different places and communities.

If we want stronger democratic societies, we need places where people can participate, connect, and meet across differences. That is one of the many important contributions third places can make today.

By Asmund Bertelsen, Democracy Developer, Aarhus Public Libraries