Reimagining the Public Library to Reconnect the Community | Shamichael Hallman | TEDxMemphis

Opportunities for shared experiences among people from different backgrounds are shrinking. Nearly every trend line shows the U.S. in the grips of increased polarization, segregation and social isolation. There is an urgent need to reverse these trends. Libraries, as public assets, have the unique opportunity to bridge socioeconomic divides and rebuild trust. But in order to do so, they must be truly welcoming to all. This talk centers on ways that we as a city might work collaboratively in creating a library that is welcoming to all, and that bridges socioeconomic divides through examples of productive partnerships in Memphis. Shamichael Hallman currently serves as the manager of the historic Cossitt Library in Memphis, TN. As a part of the national Reimagining the Civic Commons initiative, Cossitt Library is undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation which is estimated to be completed in 2020. The redesigned library will provide numerous weekly opportunities, and serve as an active and engaging community resource. Shamichael serves on a number of boards in Memphis, volunteers as pastor at a multi-site church, has helped organized over 25 faith-inspired hackathons across the world, and was selected as a 40 under 40 honoree in 2019 by Memphis Business Journal. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@gavin-morris]

There's something about a visit to the library that feels so wholesome.

[@iMAOusuc]

It's criminal that this only has 13k views. This is a fantastic video and I think everyone should see it.

[@TheKonnoisseur11]

He said a whole lot of nothing

[@carmaineternes7259]

I am anxious to tour your vibrant spaces and witness the tremendous community connections of all ages and mobilities!

[@vickeybrown8653]

Thank you for this! I am privileged to be on the Vancouver Island Library Board (BC, Canada) and I LOVE this movement of Libraries as inclusive community spaces. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@almaami2294]

I loved this! I am an architect and we are currently designing a small children's library in Johannesburg. It's been so inspiring working on it and I share your sentiments on what libraries can do. They are not too prescriptive and allow for chance and imagination. It's really exciting! I hope to visit your library once complete, I am sure it has too, been delayed by the Covid lockdowns. Wishing you all the best Shamichael, it's great to see you lead!!

[@shamichaelhallman]

Thanks so much for this comment Alma! Allowing for chance and imagination are certainly key design elements for projects such as these. I wish you all the best with your library project in Johannesburg.

[@vivashus5140]

My public library offers Salsa classes on Monday nights and it's the best.

[@CarlBledsoeJr]

Representing Memphis 💙😎🤙🏿🤙🏿 We love see it!

[@archiefast]

More and more community incentives are popping up and making headway. As the title says - reimagining the public library to keep and reconnect one's community. I am very grateful that we are again seeing the importance that comes from having community and support.

[@caroldendy851]

love this too

[@legalfictionnaturalfact3969]

Lol, I'm sorry, but only dweebs think the library is their social hub. Hahaha. Most of us have actual friend groups. Neighbors. Associates. Libraries trying to usurp community Powers so adorable. :-)

[@cdiraffaele39506]

Wow, the passion for my job has been reignited. Thank you.

[@sebastianroseter]

Public libraries were 100% my safe space as a kid! Both my mum and granny loved the library it was like our destination spot pretty much daily!

[@legalfictionnaturalfact3969]

No, ever since they let dudes and dresses in there to read to the kids, it hasn't been safe. Oh who are we kidding, it was not safe before that either. And now, there are overrun with unsheltered people. Some nice, some not so nice. Libraries are not safe for kids.

[@alicjakmusia]

I used to live in a really old school neighbourhood that had an awesome mix of cultures, and I loved going to the shops and seeing heaps of old people just hanging out together! Definitely something that should be encouraged more.

[@laisalencartedu]

It is amazing to see clearly the library model placed in Rio de Janeiro with Hallman's description. Here, they are known as Biblioteca Parque. The concept is just as the description about that dreamed place. A place for interaction, respect, culture, creativity, and so on...

[@galasenser]

What he says about the power of public spaces and the opportunities it creates is so lovely, wholesome and TRUE!

[@TheHighkeyLowkey]

I'm so inspired and excited for Memphis. The vision that he gave is beautiful. I can tell that his passion on this subject runs so deep. This made me so happy.

[@lazerkittythetrue]

Public libraries and community gardens, that brings us together

[@oleg_kagan]

This is a beautiful expression of what libraries are about in a short 15 minutes! I love it!

[@JeremyForest]

This video definitely made me happy! Public libraries have helped me out tremendously and made me the person that I am today. Major respect to Mr. Shamichael Hallman for creating this vision, and turning this into a reality. Outstanding job!

[@1henrythomas]

This is brilliant. Where I am from, it is the pubs seen has local community centers - but with the younger generations drinking less we need hubs for community connection, where ideas, support and wisdom are shared

[@Therealspence]

Yes! I have noticed a draw back to the public library over the last couple of years and it truly is such a wholesome and inclusive hub.

[@dylanparker4404]

I have been going to my local library since I was 7 and I don't plan on stopping. But you definitely can see how they have been forgotten with lack of funding. I love Shamichael's perspective and am all for it. Thank you.

[@marekdluzniak]

Wow, this could, should be done across the country!

[@marcimay4676]

What an inspiration you are for public places & spaces. Your vision is remarkable and your passion is palpable! As I embark on my MLIS program, I bring forward a similar intention for our community here in Jacksonville Florida. I plan to visit your library/community belonging space when it is completed. Gratitude and peace to you! Namaste~

[@offbeatbirdy3307]

Innovative thinking at its finest.

[@bellemaba]

What a beautiful, passionate TED talk! I was totally captured by the things he was talking about.

[@shamichaelhallman]

Thanks so much!!!

[@grantwheeleruoft]

Amazing! I just had to say you did a wonderful job for your TED Talk. Your passion speaks volumes and I hope we can keep the vision alive, even after Covid and the changes this will inevitably bring to our space.

[@kobetclark]

Wow literally his opening lines could have been about me! This resonated sooooo strongly!

[@shamichaelhallman]

Thanks so much, Kobe!

[@olgasladekova]

I have always loved the idea of libraries, but never really gotten too involved with them. I wasn’t an avid reader as a kid, I spent more time drawing and painting. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t see huge value in libraries and the communities they support and nurture- there are so many resources available for FREE that people don’t appreciate which can shape young minds and give adults community. They are vital, and I hope people really appreciate this message.

[@zoezanders]

I love this dudes vibe! So awesome that he got this sort of platform to talk about something that is clearly really important to him.

[@my-own-boss]

We certainly are looking at ways to reimagine everything and all driven by the importance of change.

[@gabriellehalette]

Libraries were not cool when I was a kid. Now they are places where so much is happening. I love the shift in what a library is and what it means to a community is being reframed.

[@miyenwu5556]

Yes, I agree with you Mr Hallman! Great post! (Libraries really are the gates to the future. Neil Gaiman)

[@l_u_vlesson]

What a wonderful human. I want to support this movement so much.

[@jorenduran]

This is such good work, thank you for serving your community!

[@dahouseismyhouse]

I love my library! And I've always wondered why more councils don't ensure funding. Definitely sharing this!

[@maruny.e]

Almost stop watching because of the beginning but the second half of this talk is amazing and exactly what I was looking for!

[@motubatsekgatle2215]

I am inspired and motivated, the basic information needs of people change daily as we live in a changing world. The basic information services the public libraries provide should change.

[@punky0lola]

Yes! I want that to be the future of librarys everywhere! So excited because I'm studying library science and will get to help create that! :)

[@phelixthelibrarian6011]

So inspiring! Libraries are so important!

[@klara7068]

Loved watching this video

[@katl.7586]

this was so inspiring! i can't wait until covid is over and i can go back to my local library TT^TT

[@czarcasm2168]

My home town is investing more money into public spaces and centres and it is really bringing my town to life.

[@victhatsme]

Its interesting how we like to recall times from the past where we find a sense of safety and belonging.

[@madisongrace9146]

Some big picture stuff here! What a visionary.

[@fannybottom]

I would love to see more funding go into libraries for exactly this!!

[@kokits]

this was awesome - both the concept and the presentation

[@wzhen9391]

I love this idea of building up spaces for the community, hopefully it helps us reconnect a bit more in real life.

[@vivashus5140]

agreed!

[@mohammad5871]

من دانشجوی معماری هستم و این ویدیو را برای طراحی یک کتابخانه نگاه کردم و خیلی چیز ها یاد گرفتم ممنون از شما 👍

[@joannacollin]

Great, thank you

[@rangatvespaldy]

This is what TED is all about.

[@rafidsafwan8681]

❤

[@warasdf6716]

Nice

[@Qwuiet]

Analog is making a comeback. Human need to physically be with other human

[@ZedofZardoz]

Libraries have always spent money to make a wide selection of information available to everybody including very much those that could not afford access that quality and quantity of information. There is no reason that libraries can not do that better than ever today. This is a conversation framed to shift spending away from the benefit of mass society. It is a convoluted and regressive idea to try to make the case that there is any reason that in today's day and age it is not cheaper and easier than ever to continue the publicly funded project to enable the self education of dynamic citizens in an active democracy, possibly with less cellulose involved. Unless that doesn't sound desirable to you.

[@thiagodornelas131]

The word 'segregation' makes me feel shame. I couldn't image what the experience would feel like.

[@user-lz1ti8ut6s]

Public libraries main purpose shouldn't be to reconnect no community. Libraries are there to offer knowledge not available otherwise. It's to satisfy young curiosity while helping people to grow in new ideas and more productive ways of thinking.

[@piperhansard5263]

Ummm- can I just hang out with him for an afternoon or something?

[@abygorsonabor7982]

Libraries are for reading, not to "Reconnect the Community "

[@tomdavidmn]

❤

[@jessielawson5826]

❤️