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calville's review against another edition
4.0
If you heard the author interviewed on 99% Invisible, reading the book does not add a lot. I think the whole thing could have been a great magazine article, and probably should have been, because if you're a person who already loves libraries and other public spaces (like I am), you'll pretty much be convinced of his thesis at the end of the first chapter, and then the rest of the book is spent going, "Yup. Mmhmm. That's true. Couldn't agree more." So I think I would have gotten more out of the book if I were a library/park skeptic who needed to be convinced of their value.
stacey_yoshimura's review against another edition
Had to return it to the library..I'll check it out again and finish it later
spiralbody's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of great case studies in here to help inspire and inform practitioners and community leaders working to improve the lives of urban residents
manaledi's review against another edition
3.0
I agree with the fundamental premise of this book and the importance of social infrastructure like libraries, public pools, gardens, athletic fields, youth centers to building community. However, for a book that talks about inequality in its very title, the white, male author fails to adequately address race, which is barely even mentioned, let alone the pernicious impacts of white supremacy, or poverty (he positions his inability to buy hardcover books as poverty).
I wanted a lot more actual research and a lot less of his anecdotes of that time I went to the library and aren't libraries great. He referenced some fascinating studies (eg on the impact of community gardens on crime), but they seemed like also rans to his own observations (again, with no interrogation of his privileges). I also wanted a lot more organization; it seems like every chapter ended up with aren't libraries great, but there was no thread that clarified why some library comments were in some chapters and some in others.
In the end, this book made me think about the spaces that I interact with and the social infrastructure of my day-to-day life. I read it at the public pool; I brought it to the athletic field, etc. And I love books that make me think about daily life through new lenses. But I ended up frustrated by the lack of organization, lack of data, and lack of awareness of privilege.
I wanted a lot more actual research and a lot less of his anecdotes of that time I went to the library and aren't libraries great. He referenced some fascinating studies (eg on the impact of community gardens on crime), but they seemed like also rans to his own observations (again, with no interrogation of his privileges). I also wanted a lot more organization; it seems like every chapter ended up with aren't libraries great, but there was no thread that clarified why some library comments were in some chapters and some in others.
In the end, this book made me think about the spaces that I interact with and the social infrastructure of my day-to-day life. I read it at the public pool; I brought it to the athletic field, etc. And I love books that make me think about daily life through new lenses. But I ended up frustrated by the lack of organization, lack of data, and lack of awareness of privilege.
cpalisa's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty fascinating read on how social infrastructure contributes to our well being. Interesting ideas on ways schools and communities can be laid out better to encourage community.
luispatricio's review against another edition
4.0
Great reminders of the importance of diverse, inclusive public spaces, physical, not online.