Libraries Can Help Lead the Next Economy

We think of shared workspaces as the hot trend in fostering productivity. But libraries have been incubating innovation for millennia. A new program seeks to make libraries a key cog in fostering the start-up economy.

1 minute read

February 20, 2013, 9:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj

Emily Badger profiles a program being introduced by Arizona State University - named the Alexandria Network after one of history's most famous repositories of knowledge - that seeks to turn public libraries into co-working business incubators.

"This old idea of the public library as co-working space now offers a modern answer – one among many – for how these aging institutions could become more relevant two millennia after the original Alexandria library burned to the ground. Would-be entrepreneurs everywhere are looking for business know-how and physical space to incubate their start-ups. Libraries meanwhile may be associated today with an outmoded product in paper books. But they also happen to have just about everything a 21st century innovator could need: Internet access, work space, reference materials, professional guidance."

In the university's plan, which is starting with a pilot in Scottsdale's Civic Center Library, "[p]articipating libraries will host dedicated co-working spaces for the program, as well as both formal classes and informal mentoring from the university’s start-up resources," explains Badger. "The librarians themselves will be trained by the university to help deliver some of the material. The network will offer everything, in short, but seed money."

"Public libraries long ago democratized access to knowledge; now they could do the same in a start-up economy."

FULL STORY: Why Libraries Should Be the Next Great Start-Up Incubators

Tuesday, February 19, 2013 in The Atlantic Cities

Community / Economic Development Land Use Arizona Alexandria Network Start-Up Economy Co-Working Shared Workspaces Arizona State University View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.