Librewery?

Several thoughts have been fighting their way through my mind. They're not quite formed. And they're not all even recognized yet. Maybe writing this will help... Or maybe not. I'm sorry if this is complete jibberish!

In Seminar in Public Libraries, we had to read some articles about the public library as "third place" in the community. I love this concept (as defined by eastsiderailnow.com):

a location that has a role intermediate between the home and the workplace and that allows people to be around other people without being in a structured setting

Basically, coffee shops and bookstores already function in this way. So I guess there is some kind of debate about whether libraries already are third place, or if they should even become third place. I love this thinking! I am so excited about the prospect of being a librarian in a community where the library is third place. I have this (very vague) image in my head of being a librarian at a public library in some community where the library is the cool place to come hang out and socialize. I agree with many that the library should have places to be quiet, read, and study, but what's wrong with having another place for socialization? I wish I could express myself better about this...

We have a class blog where we have to post comments about our readings and someone else (actually a couple of people) mentioned the idea of a librewery. The readings all talked about cafes being integrated into libraries in order to make them more of a welcoming place. So those people mentioned why not alcohol?! I laughed when I first saw this and thought it a wonderful prospect. But after reflecting on it a little, I think caffeine is a better social-inducer than alcohol for a library! One step at a time folks! If librarians are afraid of incorporating a cafe into their sacred buildings because of a fear of empty coffee cups littering the shelves and cookie crumbs smooshed into the carpet, just think of the nightmares they'd have of drunken bar fights turning the stacks into giant dominoes and the putrid puke stains in the aisles! Let's not mention this idea to them! I think as students, we are picturing the 20 to 30-something year old professionals-doing-happy-hour kind of drinking that would be going on at the libraries. I mean, I can see a wine tasting as a fun event, but there has to be a limit folks!

Someone else in a previous class mentioned having to do a project for another class (maybe management?) of designing their ideal library. I think I want to take that class just as an excuse! I have so many ideas... But I'd have to be rich and start my own private library for many of those dreams to come to fruition. Anyone want to donate to my dream library fund?