I listened to an excellent interview yesterday with sociologist Eric Klinenberg, author of Palaces for the People, about “social infrastructure” and its value in improving the lives of communities and individuals. Much of the interview focuses on public libraries–how they’ve adapted and how they’re one of the few spaces left that are truly open to everyone.
https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/palaces-for-the-people/
“Social infrastructure is the glue that binds communities together, and it is just as real as the infrastructure for water, power, or communications, although it’s often harder to see. But Eric Klinenberg says that when we invest in social infrastructures such as libraries, parks, or schools, we reap all kinds of benefits. We become more likely to interact with people around us, and connect to the broader public. If we neglect social infrastructure, we tend to grow more isolated, which can have serious consequences.”