A podcast celebrating libraries as vital “third places” inspired by the idea of “third spaces.”
Sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term “third space” to describe social environments separate from home and work — places where community, conversation, and connection happen naturally. A Third Place riffs on this idea, focusing on libraries as welcoming, vibrant environments that nurture learning, creativity, and belonging.
Created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the University of Melbourne’s Baillieu Library, this podcast features captivating conversations with Professor Peter McPhee and distinguished University alumni—from the groundbreaking philosopher and author Peter Singer to the dynamic Australian actor Alice Garner—sharing their stories and reflections on the power of these special places.
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A podcast celebrating libraries as vital “third places” inspired by the idea of “third spaces.”
Sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term “third space” to describe social environments separate from home and work — places where community, conversation, and connection happen naturally. A Third Place riffs on this idea, focusing on libraries as welcoming, vibrant environments that nurture learning, creativity, and belonging.
Created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the University of Melbourne’s Baillieu Library, this podcast features captivating conversations with Professor Peter McPhee and distinguished University alumni—from the groundbreaking philosopher and author Peter Singer to the dynamic Australian actor Alice Garner—sharing their stories and reflections on the power of these special places.
Alice Garner: Libraries, safe spaces, and serendipity
A Third Place
13 minutes
4 days ago
Alice Garner: Libraries, safe spaces, and serendipity
In this episode of A Third Place, host Peter McPhee speaks with the multi-talented Alice Garner — actor, writer, musician, historian, and teacher — about the enduring role of libraries and other “third places” in her life. From her student days in the Baillieu Library to her first job at the State Library, Alice reflects on the ways these public spaces offer safety, discovery, and community. She shares vivid memories of accidental bookshelf finds, the quiet solace of reading rooms, and the unexpected connections sparked by library graffiti. Along the way, Alice explores how libraries support people of all ages and backgrounds, and why preserving their unique mix of openness and silence matters more than ever.
A Third Place
A podcast celebrating libraries as vital “third places” inspired by the idea of “third spaces.”
Sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term “third space” to describe social environments separate from home and work — places where community, conversation, and connection happen naturally. A Third Place riffs on this idea, focusing on libraries as welcoming, vibrant environments that nurture learning, creativity, and belonging.
Created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the University of Melbourne’s Baillieu Library, this podcast features captivating conversations with Professor Peter McPhee and distinguished University alumni—from the groundbreaking philosopher and author Peter Singer to the dynamic Australian actor Alice Garner—sharing their stories and reflections on the power of these special places.
