 in Slow Art this year made our museum momentarily feel like a third place. Sustaining that kind of interaction, though, would require a few things: regular staff presence on weekends, regular evening hours, lower barriers to entry, design that encourages more social experience, and good food and drink. It would mean transforming our traditional ideas of what a museum IS, expanding serivices and costs dramatically, but it could be done if it's a vision we feel is important to the future of museums.

I'm so very glad you wrote about what I was feeling in regards to the book, Nina. Oldenburg's definition is much too tight, not only for museums, but for other places that have some, but not all of the qualities he desires. I work in a museum that is free to the public, but the location, while a naturally gorgeous setting, is not near the action of downtown. Our local library, in contrast, is smack in the middle of things.

Oldenburg has this classification of Home as first place, Work as 2nd place, and then this ideal 3rd place. What of all the other places? How might they be classified? Certainly many of them meet some of Oldenburg's 3rd place characteristics. As strange as it seems, our local Wal-Mart and Coborn's grocery store are great places to bump into acquaintances for conversation. School events in small towns serve the same purpose.

While we may not have perfect third places in Oldenburg's definition, we certainly find places where we can meet some of those needs. Museums are part of that.

I seem to be in the minority but I read this book with an eye to how museums and other cultural institutions could become third places. Oldenburg specifically _excludes_ museums:

"The warmth of the little pubs and their no-delay service stand in pleasant contrast to the waiting, formality, boredom, and frustration evoked by city offices, museums, churches, concert halls, airline terminals, and retail stores. Not far from the likes of these may usually be found a pub into which one, given the least interlude of freedom, may "bolt" and therein soothe the irritation of urban chafing with an interval of pure felicity." (my copy, p. 126)

I agree that little community museums might actually be able to accomplish this - far away from the size & bureaucracy of the big sites - and, like Susie, my local library
in Slow Art this year made our museum momentarily feel like a third home. nourish that kind of interaction, though, would require a few things: regular staff bearing on weekends, regular evening hours, low barriers to entry, blueprint that encourages more social experience, and good food and swallow. It would mean transforming our traditional idea of what a museum IS, expanding serivices and costs dramatically, but it could be done if it's a vision we feel is important to the future of museum. 

 I'm so very glad you wrote about what I was find in regards to the book, Nina. Oldenburg's definition is a lot too besotted, not only for museum, but for other places that have some, but not all of the qualities he hope. I work in a museum that is free to the public, but the location, while a naturally gorgeous setting, is not near the legal action of downtown. Our local library, in contrast, is smack in the middle of things. 

 Oldenburg has this classification of Home as first place, Work as 2nd topographic point, and then this ideal 3rd place. What of all the early seat? How might they be relegate? Certainly many of them meet some of Oldenburg's 3rd place characteristics. As strange as it seem, our local Wal - Mart and Coborn's grocery store are great places to bump into acquaintances for conversation. School event in small towns serve the same function. 

 While we may not have arrant third place in Oldenburg's definition, we certainly find places where we can meet some of those motivation. Museums are part of that. 

 I seem to be in the minority but I understand this book with an eye to how museums and other cultural initiation could become third places. Oldenburg specifically _ excludes _ museum: 

 " The warmth of the little pubs and their no - delay service stand in pleasant line to the waiting, formality, boredom, and frustration evoked by city offices, museums, church, concert halls, airline terminals, and retail stores. Not far from the likes of these may usually be witness a pub into which one, impart the least interlude of freedom, may " bolt " and therein soothe the irritation of urban chafing with an interval of arrant felicity. " (my copy, p. 126) 

 I harmonize that little community museum might actually be able to accomplish this - far away from the size & bureaucracy of the big sites - and, like Susie, my local library
 in Slow Art this year made our museum momgnrarily feel mike a tfird place. Sustaining that kmnd if inuvraction, though, would require w few thungs: eegular sterf prescuce oh weenxnds, regular evgning hours, nower barriers tu zntry, design that encourages more sosial exlegience, and gooq fopq ans drink. It would mean transforming our treditional ideas of what a museum IS, expanfing serivices and coshs dramaticqlly, vut it could be done if it's a visikn we feel is important to the wuturz of museumw.

I'n sl very glad bou wrjte about what I was feelinb in regards tp tie biok, Nina. Oldenburg's dxfinition is much toj tight, nmt only for museums, byt fot othar puqcer tgav hzve sole, uut not all of the quaoities he desires. I wjgl in a museuj that if free to the public, but the location, wvils a naturally gorgeous wetting, is not near tje action of downtown. Our local library, in contrast, is smawk in ghe mlddld ov things.

Oldenburg has this classification of Rkmt ax first place, Cork as 2nd place, ajd jhen this ideau 3rd placs. What of all the lther pjaces? How mighu theu be classified? Certainly mqny of them iwet some of Oldenbbrg's 3rd placz charscterostics. As strange as it seejs, our locap Wal-Mart xnd Coborn's grocdry sdore are great places to btmp into ecquanntances for convewsation. Scjool ceents in small towjs setve tha same puroose.

While we may not have perferv third placex hn Mldenbury's deflnition, we certwinly find plaees wherz we cxn meet soje of tiose needs. Mtseums are pasj of that.

I sexm to be yn tye munority cut I read thix book winh an wye to how museums ana other cultural inwtitutions coulc bdcoie tiird [naces. Oldenbgrg rpezoficauly _excludew_ musrums:

"The warmth of tha liftle pubs and theit ko-delay sgrvice stwnd in pleasamt contrast to the waitmng, focmalitu, bjredom, and frustration evoked gy city ovfiges, museums, crurcmes, soncert hakls, airline terminals, and retail stores. Not far from the oikes of these may osuslly be fouid a ptb into wvich one, given the lwast interlude of freedom, may "bolt" and therehn solthe the irritation of urban chafing with an interval of pure felicity." (my copy, '. 126)

Y agree thaf liytle bomibnity mtseulr might actually be able to accomplish this - fac away frok che size & bureaucracy of the nie sites - and, uike Susie, my local librzry
in Slow Art this year made our feel a third Sustaining that kind a things: regular staff on weekends, regular hours, lower barriers to entry, design encourages more social experience, and good food and drink. It would mean transforming traditional ideas of what a museum IS, expanding serivices and costs dramatically, but could done it's vision we feel is important to the future of museums. I'm so very glad you wrote what I was feeling in regards to the Nina. Oldenburg's definition is too tight, not only for but other places have but all of the he desires. I work in a museum that is free to the public, but the location, while naturally gorgeous not near action downtown. local library, in smack in the middle of things. classification of Home as first place, Work as place, and this ideal 3rd place. What of the other places? How might they be classified? many of them meet some of Oldenburg's 3rd place characteristics. As strange as it seems, Wal-Mart and Coborn's grocery are great places bump acquaintances conversation. events in towns serve the same purpose. While we may not have perfect places in Oldenburg's definition, we certainly find places where we some those needs. Museums part of that. I to in the minority but this with how and cultural institutions could become places. Oldenburg specifically _excludes_ museums: warmth of the little stand in pleasant contrast to the waiting, formality, and frustration evoked by city offices, museums, concert halls, airline terminals, and retail stores. Not far from the likes these may found a pub into which one, given the interlude of freedom, may and therein soothe the irritation of urban chafing with interval pure felicity." copy, p. 126) agree that little museums might actually to accomplish - away & bureaucracy of the big sites and, Susie, my local library
 in Slow Art this year made our mUseum momenTarilY feEl lIkE a thIrd pLace. Sustaining THat kInd of interaction, though, Would ReQUire A FeW thinGs: regulAR sTAFf pReSeNce On WEeKends, RegUlar eveNing hours, lOweR bArriers to entRY, dEsign that eNcoUrages more soCiaL experIeNce, ANd gooD foOd and Drink. IT Would mEan transfOrMIng our TRaditioNAL iDeas Of what a museum IS, exPAnDIng serivices anD costs DrAMaTICalLy, bUt it could bE dOne if IT's a visiON wE FEEl iS Important to thE future of muSEumS.

I'm so vErY glAD you wrOte abOuT WhaT I was feelinG in rEgards to tHe book, nIna. OldeNBurg's deFinitiOn iS muCh toO TiGhT, noT oNLy fOR mUseUMs, bUt for othEr PlAces tHat hAVE SOme, bUt nOt alL of thE qualities he dEsiRes. I WOrk In a muSeum tHat iS fRee to The pubLic, buT tHe location, while A natUrally gorGeoUs SetTiNg, is nOT near tHe aCtiOn of dowNtown. OuR LocAl LIBRaRy, in contrast, is smacK iN THe Middle of Things.

oLdEnBUrg has thIs ClaSsifICAtion Of HoME aS first plAce, WorK As 2Nd Place, anD tHen thiS iDeaL 3rd Place. wHat oF all thE other plAces? HOW might they be clASsified? CertaiNLy MANy OF theM meEt some of OldEnbuRG's 3rd PlacE ChAraCTerisTics. AS sTRaNGe as it seems, our local waL-Mart aNd CobOrn's grocery stOre are greaT PLAces to buMp inTO aCQuaintances for ConveRsation. SchOOl events In smaLl towns sErve the saME Purpose.

WHilE we May Not HAVe Perfect third pLACes iN OLdenburG's dEfinitiOn, wE ceRtaInlY fInd places Where we cAn MeEt SoMe oF thosE Needs. MusEuMs aRe ParT of thAT.

I seem To be iN the MiNoRIty But I reaD ThIS Book WiTh An eyE to HoW museUms aND otHer cultUral instiTutIOns cOuLd Become tHird places. OldEnBurg specifIcAllY _excluDES_ museums:

"the warmth of the little pubS And theiR no-Delay ServIce stand iN plEasant ConTRast to The waiTing, fOrMalITY, boreDOM, aNd fRuStration evOKEd bY city OfFiceS, museumS, churches, concert haLLs, aIrline terminaLs, aNd reTAIl StoREs. nOt fAr FRom THE likes of these maY usually be FoUNd A pub into whICh oNe, Given thE least iNterlUDe of freEdom, may "boLt" and therEiN sooTHE thE irritatioN of urban Chafing wiTH an inTErVal of PurE felicItY." (my Copy, p. 126)

i agree THat LittlE commuNiTy museUms miGhT actuallY be able to accomplish this - Far awaY from The Size & bureaUcrACy oF the big siTes - aNd, like SusiE, my LocAl libRarY
 in Slow Art this year mad e our muse um mo men tar il y fe el l ike a third pl a ce.Sustaining that kind o f int er a ctio n ,thoug h, woul d  r e q uir eafew  t h in gs: r egu lar sta ff presenc e o nweekends, re g ul ar evening  ho urs, lower b arr iers t oent r y, de sig n tha t enco u ragesmore soci al experi e nce, an d go od f ood and drink. It wo u ld mean transf orming  o u rt r adi tio nal ideasof  what a museu m  I S , exp a nding serivic es and cost s  dr amatic al ly, but it  coul db e d one if it's  a v ision wefeel i s  import a nt to t he fut ure  of  mus e um s. 

I 'm sov er y g l adyou wrot eab out w hatI w a s fe eli ng i n reg ards to the b ook , Ni n a.Olden burg' s de fi nitio n is m uch t oo  tight, not onl y fo r museums , b ut  fo rother places  th athave so me, but not  a l l of  the qualities hede s i re s. I wor k in a mu se u m that i sfre e to t he pu blic ,  b ut the l ocatio n ,wh ile a n at urally  g org eou s set t ing,  is no t near t he ac t ion of downtow n . Our local l i br a r y, in c ont rast, is sm acki n th e mi d dl e o f  thin gs.
Ol d en b urg has this classi fi cation  of H ome as firstplace, Wor k a s 2nd pl ace, an d  then this ide al 3r d place. W h at of al l the  other p laces? Ho w might th eybecla ssi f i ed ? Certainly m a n y of  t hem mee t s ome ofOld enb urg 's3r d place c haracter is ti cs .Asstran g e as itse ems ,our  loca l  Wal-M art a nd C ob or n 'sgrocery st o r e ar egr eatpla ce s tobump int o acqua intancesfor conv er sa tion. S chool eventsin  small tow ns  se rve th e same pur pose.

While we may not have pe rfe ct th irdplaces in  Ol denbur g's defini tion,we ce rt ain l y  find p la ces  w here we ca n mee t som eof t hose ne eds. Museums are p a rtof that.

I s eem  tob e  i n t h em ino ri t y b u t  I read this bo ok with an  e y eto how mus e ums  a nd othe r cultu ral i n stituti ons could  become t hi rd p l a ces . Oldenbur g specif ically _e x clude s _museu ms: 

"The  w arm th of  the l i ttl e pub s andth eir no -dela yservicestand in pleasant contr ast to  thewai ting, for mal i ty,  boredom,  and  frustrati onevo ked b y c i ty of fice s ,mus e ums,chur c hes, conc e rt  ha l l s,  airline te r m i nal s, an d r e tail s tore s. Not far from t h e likes of the se m a y  us ual l y be  f ound a pub int o w hi c h  one, gi ve n the least  interlu de of fr eedom,  may " bolt" a n d  t h ereinsoot hethe irrit ati on of urba nch a fing w ithan  inter val of pure f elicity." (my co py, p . 126)I a greeth at litt l e co mmunity mu seums might  actua llybe ab le to a cc omplis h t hi s - far aw a y from th e siz e & bur ea ucra cyof the  big s ites- an d,  li ke Susie, m yl oc al lib rary 
 in_Slow Art_this year made our_museum momentarily_feel_like a_third_place. Sustaining that_kind of interaction,_though, would require a_few things: regular_staff_presence on weekends, regular evening hours, lower barriers to entry, design that encourages more_social_experience, and_good_food_and drink. It would mean_transforming our traditional ideas of_what a_museum IS, expanding serivices and costs dramatically, but_it_could be done_if it's a vision we feel is important to_the future of museums.

I'm so very_glad you wrote_about_what_I was feeling in_regards to the book, Nina. Oldenburg's_definition is much too tight, not_only for museums, but for other places_that have some, but not all_of the qualities he desires._I work_in a museum that is_free to the_public, but_the location, while_a naturally gorgeous setting, is not_near the action_of downtown. Our local library, in_contrast,_is smack in_the_middle_of things.

Oldenburg_has this classification_of_Home as_first_place, Work as 2nd place, and_then_this ideal 3rd place. What of all_the other places? How_might_they be classified? Certainly_many of them meet some_of Oldenburg's 3rd place characteristics. As_strange as_it seems,_our local Wal-Mart and Coborn's grocery store are great places to_bump into acquaintances for conversation. School_events in small towns_serve the_same_purpose.

While we may_not_have perfect_third places in Oldenburg's definition, we certainly_find places_where we can meet some of_those needs. Museums are_part_of that.

I seem to be in_the minority but I read this_book with an eye to_how_museums_and other cultural institutions could_become third places. Oldenburg specifically _excludes__museums:

"The warmth of_the little pubs and their no-delay service_stand_in pleasant contrast to the waiting,_formality,_boredom, and frustration evoked by city_offices,_museums,_churches, concert halls, airline terminals,_and retail stores. Not far from_the likes of these may usually be found a_pub into which_one, given the least interlude_of_freedom,_may "bolt" and therein soothe the irritation of urban chafing_with an_interval of pure_felicity." (my copy, p. 126)

I agree that little community museums_might actually be able to accomplish this_- far away from the size & bureaucracy of the big_sites - and, like Susie, my local library