I’ve been thinking about Eric Klinenberg’s book Palaces for the People, in which he defines social infrastructure as shared spaces, institutions, and services that bring people together and forge connections. He argues that communities with strong social infrastructure, like ours, thrive because our shared institutions are dedicated to building community. I’m so proud to see this happening every day as I walk through the Library. With more than 325,000 visitors each year, our Library is bustling with people coming together and making connections.
The Library is, of course, a place to read, work, study, or enjoy a moment of quiet, but it’s also a place to meet friends and find community. Through our Meet Up @ GPL programs, you can connect with neighbors, share stories, and build relationships that go beyond the Library’s walls. Whether you’re here to knit, game, or enjoy a concert, we want you to know there is a space for you here.
This year, as part of our 2025–2027 Strategic Plan, our team has focused on cultivating opportunities for social connection. Through this work, we’ve seen firsthand how bringing people together can spark meaningful friendships. From neighbors sharing plants to strangers working side by side at our community puzzle table, these experiences remind us that community is built not just through living in the same vicinity, but through the ways we come together and the moments we share.
As the year draws to a close, I invite you to see your Library as both a refuge and a gathering place, a true civic space where every voice matters and every person belongs. I can’t wait to see what new friendships and stories unfold here in 2026.
Lindsey Dorfman, Library Director