Community libraries as third places in Indonesia

This article examines how Taman Cerdas community libraries in Surakarta, Indonesia, may function as third places through routine programmes and local partnerships. We conducted a multi-site qualitative case study of six sites within a municipal community-library programme. Data included semi-structured interviews with site managers ( n = 6), non-participant observations (two visits per site), one focus group discussion with the six site managers and two municipal supervisory librarians ( n = 8), and brief de-identified user fieldnotes. The material was analysed using framework-informed thematic analysis and cross-site comparison. Findings suggest that predictable, low-threshold activities created conditions for repeated attendance, familiarity and shared expectations, whilst scheduled partnerships broadened participation and brought additional resources into the sites. Programme continuity was supported by stable staffing, modest operational support and light-touch partner coordination. The article identifies practical managerial levers whilst offering a practice-based interpretation, rather than evidence of measured social-capital outcomes.