Public libraries are fantastic. I love public libraries :D

1. It’s free to come, and really cheap to borrow things.
2. You can borrow books, CDs, vinyls, musical instruments, video games (!) and much more (tho not all libraries are created equal : some only have books, other have literal shared kitchens).
3. It’s calm. But not as calm as a university library, which is too calm for me (drop your phone, and you’ll suddenly have 20 students looking at you).
4. People who do not have access to computers can use one, and there are many appliances and services for people to use.
5. It’s inspiring : I’m writing this very post in my city’s big library, theres a guy with MIDI controllers and a pair of headphones making music to my right, and two dudes in their 40s to my left, playing Grounded on their Steam Decks, and (quietly) discussing strategies and where to build their base next. Everyone is doing their own thing, and it’s the kind of thing that pushes me to work and be productive.
6. Some of them are really beautiful. I really dig modern architecture, wood, huge glass windows, natural light, concrete and white book shelves, so (obviously) my favorite libraries tick these boxes. I really love the architecture of Oodi in Helsinki, Alexis de Toqueville in Caen, and L’Alpha in Angoulême, and how it looks from outside.
7. You can move where you want. When I work from home, I love having the freedom of moving where I want to. Here, it’s the same : I can chill in a couch, move into a quiet space, or just work from a regular table.
8. They (usually) have AC and power plugs.

I’m pretty much stating the obvious with these points, but that’s kind of intended. I wanted to list the reasons for which I am appreciating public libraries : they are fantastic spaces to work, wander around, check out what other people are doing, and chill while reading or listening music. I don’t have the chance to live near a huge and modern library, but every time I have the chance to spend some time in one, you can find me there.

I dream of visiting Oodi one day (and Finland in general, such a cool country) : it’s got shared kitchen spaces, musical instruments, gaming rooms you cant rent, a fablab, spaces to organise events, full-on studios to edit and make content, a cafeteria, lots of events and activities and much more, all inside a beautiful modern building. With this one, it really seems like Helsinki does care about their citizens and gives them good infrastructure.

Here are some of my favorites :

Médiathèque José Cabanis / Marengo, Toulouse (France)

Bibliothèque Alexis de Toqueville, Caen (France)

Oodi Central Library, Helsinki (Finland)

Bibliothèque James Baldwin, Paris (France)