This concept is the "third space" -- a social space other than work and home where people can congregate, socialize, and relax. Parks and libraries are some of the only remaining spaces in capitalism where people can be humans without paying for the privilege to exist by the minute.

Americans reinventing coffee houses that aren't Starbucks be like:

Some libraries, like Austin's Central Library, are centered around that idea.

I miss that about college, 24 hour library filled with people. You have to be quiet on the main floors but upstairs was less strict.

The routine of get a coffee, study for a while, go pee and step outside with some friends for a smoke, and grab another coffee on the way in. Rinse and repeat until the sun comes up.

But then homeless people would have a warm safe place to stay! /s

I would love this. Like another commenter said, after 10 the no talking rule gets rescinded and it turns into a cafe level of speech.

I’d love to just read books with my wife at a library late at night.

let's make the place where everybody wants you to shut the fuck up the hub of social interaction

The type of nightlife I wouldn't mind. Looks very cozy

Neat idea, but most libraries I'm familiar with discourage too much social interaction. Maybe after 10 the "be quiet" rule gets rescinded.

My local library closes before night time, so I'm on board with the idea of them a library closing late at night.

I don't even need to talk to others, just seeing people there would soothe me and ease loneliness I get from not socialising much.

I dunno that sounds a lot like communism

What if we charged people a 'sitting rent'? And if anyone sits down to wait for their friends we call the cops especially if they aren't of the ahem Caucasian persuasion. Heaven forfend humans actually have a 'commons'

Libraries here are regularly opened until 22 or so. It's very nice :)

This post is pretty spot on.

Actually the public libraries I know have long abandoned the concept of enforced silence (and librarians 'suggesting' what the patrons should and shouldn't read).

They already have different areas for different needs. And often a café close by or integrated (at least in larger cities). In fact the opening hours are most likely the main reason people don't socialise there in the (late) evenings.

Actually there have been several instances where staff members forgot to lock the entry and libraries have been used outside of their opening hours - without any supervision - and the cool part is that nothing has been vandalized or stolen. Kind of like when libraries abandoned fees for overdue media and the number of returned stuff (in time and long overdue) increased significantly. Libraries have a more central position in our culture than most people realize, they only need to adapt to the times and (re)gain some respect of the public. As institutions they might be more needed than they have been in a long time (providing also reliable information, helping to gain (information) literacy and so on).

They mostly are around here

Try kava bars. YMMV depending on your location but here in Florida, there are many that are open late where people just hang out, watch movies, play pool, videogames, read, work, etc and they're usually not loud or crowded and they don't serve alcohol

This is a cool idea!

But also what if the public library did have a bar in it so I can get smashed while learning new stuff.

We are blessed with a small but gorgeous local library that looks like a Frank Lloyd Wright creation, full of natural light. The stacks are lovingly curated and the computer services are great. Wonderful garden out front, friendly staff inside, and modern equipment that makes checkout a breeze. We can reserve books online or check if they are in, etc.

Anyway, after school, our kid walks to the end of the block with her friends and goes into the library. From there, we pick her up. That place is jumping in the afternoons, let me tell you. All the local regulars and all the kids just out of school: littles and teenagers. It’s busy and alive but not noisy (nor are they oppressive assholes about keeping silence). It’s a moment of civic joy to walk in there and get my daughter.

This is a cool idea, but would significantly increase staffing needs. Where are you going to find librarians who want to work night shift?

Is this not what the Cafe is made for? My friends and I frequently meet up in Cafe or public parks and play board games/ card games and chill.