Public libraries as co-working spaces?

I found this article, “Why Libraries Should Be the Next Great Start-Up Incubators” written by staff writer, Emily Badger for The Atlantic Cities just the other day and found it an interesting concept and I am eager to see how the idea works.  Arizona State is planning to create a network of co-working business incubators inside public libraries calling it the Alexandria Network.

The discussion is based around the idea of the world’s first libraries in Alexandria, Egypt where many mathematicians, philosophers, and others would gather to debate and solve problems.  Now, over 2,000 years later, co-working is becoming a popular idea again where people from various disciplines need to come together to solve problems we face in today’s world.

Public libraries have exactly what is needed to create these business incubators – Internet access, work space, reference materials and professional guidance.  Many people see public libraries as being outdated and unnecessary.  It is my job as a librarian and others in my field to market the public library in a new way, making it accessible for people of all ages in need of different types of materials, programming, and space.  I’ll be interested to see how this idea works in Arizona and how it could be another way libraries can provide for their communities.