Rural Libraries as Third Spaces

Rural Insights for Philanthropy

Libraries are reinventing themselves and making sure that they stay relevant. They’re paying attention to the trends and the needs of the community.

– Deb Mikula, Consultant, The Library Network

By: Katie Brisson, Senior Director of Special Initiatives
July 2026

Through this series, Senior Director of Special Initiatives Katie Brisson shares stories and insights from rural communities across Southeast Michigan and Western New York. Each post highlights lessons from local leaders that can help shape more responsive and effective philanthropy.

In 2024, my colleague Maura Dewan and I visited with rural leaders from all 16 counties served by the Foundation. We wanted to be more thoughtful about how our Foundation could better reach rural communities, connected to our Foundation’s key areas of investment.  One topic that came up in almost every single meeting was the importance of rural libraries as key partners. 

In many cases, rural libraries were cited as one of the largest physical spaces in the community and a place where people from all walks of life come together for a variety of activities. They are a gathering place, a place to collaborate, and a place to serve people.  Libraries are places for national or regional partners to connect with local leaders and host events. They are places that connect needed resources to communities. 

The Foundation went on to make a couple of pilot grants in 2025 to rural libraries. We were amazed to learn all of the ways they connect to our Foundation’s areas of interest. Kayak lending programs, entrepreneur supports, and programming for caregivers just to name a few.

In the case of Cromaine Library in Hartland, Michigan – their community was eager to think about the outside of their building.  How was this space best serving local residents? 

We filled this room with about 60 people a few times and asked them what they want…  what they want is the ability to come somewhere and do something together.  They can access us online, they can read a book by themselves, but people are eager to have that spot… a community hub.

– Sarah Neidert, Cromaine Library (Hartland, MI)

Ultimately, the Cromaine library is undertaking a significant exterior space renovation on its South Lawn property that sits in the heart of historic downtown Hartland.  The project will focus on major landscape upgrades and the construction of a new community pavilion, where Cromaine annually hosts thousands of community members in community programming, events, and concerts. A grant from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation will help to build a children’s “free play” garden at one end of the property, close to the sizeable preschool next door.  Incorporating input from its teen council, and in partnership with the local Garden club, the Children’s Garden will include outdoor musical instruments and weaving paths that encourage full-body motion. 

In our age of technology and digital access… we are still seeing a ton of people coming into the building.  While they’re accessing our digital services when that’s most convenient, they still want to be around other people… libraries have that unique role of being a third space.

– Liz Welch, Cromaine District Library (Hartland, MI)

Building on the lessons learned from our pilot grants, the Foundation launched a program for Rural Libraries across Western New York and Southeast Michigan. The first round of grants was announced recently. We were delighted to see the many ways libraries serve as these third spaces, or places people gather apart from home and work.  Grants to support the buildout of teen rooms. Grant for meeting spaces for local nonprofit organizations. Grants that allow for the lending of binoculars, kayaks, and sports equipment. Grants that allow for better technology support for tutors and students who use the spaces in the afterschool and summer hours.

We are grateful to our intermediary partners who are helping to oversee these important grant programs, and looking forward to future grant rounds.  More information can be foundation at: The Library Network, for Southeast Michigan, and the Western New York Library Resources Council, for Western New York.

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