We all have a first and second space—home and work (or school). But what about a third space?
Your “third space” is the place you go to feel connected, grounded, and yourself. It’s where you can recharge, pursue your interests, connect with others (or not), and just be. Third spaces are vital to our well-being because they give us a sense of community without the pressure of work or responsibilities. They’re the spaces where conversations happen, ideas grow, and belonging takes root. They’re good for our mental health, our social lives, and even our sense of identity.
Coffee shops, gyms, and parks are all great third spaces—but don’t overlook one of the most versatile and welcoming options out there: your public library.
At the Germantown Community Library, we want to be your third space.
Here, you’ll find cozy reading nooks, a variety of tables for working, and study rooms perfect for a little quiet focus. You can browse for your next great read, use public computers, access free Wi-Fi, attend a program, or simply sit and enjoy a peaceful moment. The library is yours to use however you need—whether you’re here to focus, unwind, explore, or connect. Plus, you’ll find people here who love books just as much as you do—and who are always happy to talk about them.
And the best part? You don’t have to be anything other than yourself to belong here.
That goes for your children, too! The library is a wonderful third space for kids, offering a wide range of programs and spaces where they can explore, learn, and have fun. From storytime for young children to creative activities and reading challenges for older kids, there’s always something happening to engage their minds and imaginations. By making the library a part of their routine, you’re helping them discover their own place here—a space where they can grow, relax, and feel a sense of belonging.
Looking to connect with others? Join a book group and share your love of reading. Curious about what’s happening? Check out our upcoming events for everything from craft nights to author talks. Need tech help or research tools? Explore our resources for everything from printing and scanning to online learning and databases. So the next time you’re looking for a place that feels welcoming, calming, and just for you, come to the library. This space is yours to enjoy—we love it here, and we think you will, too.
If you haven’t been to the Germantown Community Library lately, you’re missing out—especially if you’re into graphic novels. We’ve recently added a whole bunch of new adult graphic novels to our collection, and we’re pretty excited about it! Whether you’re a long-time graphic novel fan or just starting to explore this medium, there’s something for everyone. These new books feature stunning art, great stories, and, in some cases, fresh takes on classic literature. So, if you’re looking for something to read that’s a bit different, come check out what we’ve got. From well-loved classics to thought-provoking stories, these books offer a fun and engaging way to experience some powerful narratives.
Why Graphic Novels?
So, why graphic novels? Well, if you haven’t picked one up in a while (or ever), they’re not just comics and they’re not just for kids. Graphic novels are a great way to experience stories with a whole new perspective. The combination of visuals and text makes for a uniquely immersive experience that can make the characters, settings, and emotions feel that much more real. Plus, the art adds a layer of depth that you don’t always get with traditional novels. Whether it’s an epic battle, a quiet moment of reflection, or just the little details in the background, the visuals make the story pop in a way that words alone can’t always do.
Graphic novels also make it intriguing to dive into some of the heavier stuff—like classic literature or complex themes—because they break everything down visually, making the whole experience more accessible. And, let’s be honest, they’re just a lot of fun to read. I particularly love picking up a graphic novel adaptation of a classic novel to see if the artist’s visualization of the story was anywhere close to the scenes in my mind’s eye. So, if you’re looking for something new and exciting to read, grab one of these graphic novels from our library, and you might just find that reading has never been so enjoyable.
Some of Our Most Popular Adult Graphic Novels:
Maus I & II by Art Spiegelman
Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant?: A Memoir by Roz Chast
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei , Justin Eisinger , et al.
Alice in Borderland series by Haro Aso
Blacksad and Blacksad: They All Fall Down series by Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido
Chainsaw Man series by Tatsuki Fujimoto
The Yellow Wall-Paper: A Graphic Novel by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Sara Barkat
Godzilla: World of Monsters by John Layman , Cullen Bunn, et al.
The Night Eaters by Marjorie M. Liu and Sana Takeda
The Hobbit: An Illustrated Edition of the Fantasy Classic by Chuck Dixon , J. R. R. Tolkien , et al.
Some Titles Recently Added to our Adult Graphic Novel Collection:
The Road: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Cormac McCarthy and Manu Larcenet
The Iliad: A Graphic Novel and The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds
Blankets by Craig Thompson
To Kill a Mockingbird: A Graphic Novel by Harper Lee and Fred Fordham
The Human Target 1 & 2 by Tom King
DUNE: The Graphic Novel series by Frank Herbert , Brian Herbert , et al.
Poe: Stories and Poems: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds
The Hidden Life of Trees: A Graphic Adaptation by Peter Wohlleben , Fred Bernard, et al.
When I’m not working at the library, I’m a college student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. There, I also run the Dungeons and Dragons Network, a club dedicated to finding groups of people who want to play DnD together. I’ve somehow brought the hype back with me, because I honestly can’t stop talking about Dungeons and Dragons.
Historically, DnD was created right here in Wisconsin, only about an hour away from Germantown in Lake Geneva, by Gary Gygax. The game, when released in the 1970’s was met with acclaim and controversy, and in the 80s, was synonymous with “nerd”. Since then various editions have come out. Right now, the popular one is 5th edition.
Despite DnD’s history as a nerdy underground game, one typically sidelined to the dorky friend’s personality in 80’s high school movies, DnD has a pretty major following. I think a lot of this hype, as least in the recent mainstream sense, can be tied to Netflix’s Stranger Things, which actually has it’s own official adventure book now. That and the fact that kids who played DnD back when in came out are now the ones in the Hollywood writer’s rooms.
Turns out, Dungeons and Dragons, today, is en vogue. Well, as en vogue as a tabletop roleplaying game can be. You’d be hard pressed to find someone whose into reading but not interested in learning about or wants to try DnD. Celebrities play DnD. In fact, Joe Manganiello pretty famously has a basement dedicated to the game and a DnD inspired clothing line.
Joe Manganiello runs a star-studded DnD campaign with players including Vince Vaughn, Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello and Game of Thrones co-creators D.B. Weiss and David Benioff.
If celebrity RPG tables isn’t enough to convince you that Dungeons and Dragons has come back with a fervor, maybe the sheer amount of content dedicated to the game might. The podcasts, the YouTube videos, the books! One of the more popular DnD podcasts, Critical Role, was just turned into the Amazon Prime show The Legends of Vox Machina. My favorite DnD podcast, The Adventure Zone has been turned into a series of graphic novels (soon to be available at your local Germantown Community Library).
But in all of these storylines and formats, there’s a common thread through it all, and there’s surprisingly a lot to learn from DnD.
Aside from how to roll and calculating ability scores or battle strategy, DnD is the perfect way to learn about storytelling. Because, underneath the numbers and character sheets and stats, what DnD is at its core, is a collaborative story. It’s a Choose Your Own Adventure book but with 90% more customization. It’s a way to delve into what makes a story great, and bring everyone else along the ride with you. When you play DnD, it’s not like a video game, where you can be placed in a situation and there are a certain number of moves and combinations, or certain objectives with a storyline that ends up generally the same. Video games have a level of complexity all their own, but I don’t think I’d be able to find one that does exactly what makes DnD so unique.
Hey, you! You’re finally awake.
I don’t think a video game will ever be able to replicate the feeling of creating a character, a backstory for that character, a personality for that character, a family for that character, a goal and aspiration for that character, and then to have that character give her life to save a lady who gave her a rock one day. It’ll never replicate the customization of encounters, how that same character, in all her “rush in and do good recklessly” glory, completely decimated a fellow party members illusion. Or the one time we had a complete makeover montage right before our dragon encounter. Or the time we had to save the city of Detroit from being lost to the abyss.
I’m a first time Dungeon Master, and I’ve got the dice to show for it. I’ve never had more fun playing Dungeons and Dragons than I am right now, planning and improvising on the fly, creating NPCs with weird, inconsistent accents (hey, not all of us are extremely talented voice actors like the cast of Critical Role), and most importantly: telling a story with others, having the players affect the story, mess with its outcome. No session ever turns out exactly as I plan it, and that’s the great part! In every single iteration of DnD in the media, the story has never never been the same. Not even a close resemblance. The possibilities are endless, whether you’re playing the beginners module (which both The Adventure Zone and I have done, to EXTREMELY variable results) or homebrewing your own campaign.
It’s a weird, kind of beautiful way to spend your time. You create a fictional universe that only lives in your head, then you share it with others, have them play there, have them affect the world, have them mess with the people there, have them struggle, have them triumph. All in your head. All in theirs.
Hopefully, I’ve convinced to give Dungeons and Dragons or its related media a try, because we’re bringing DnD to the library!
There are some DnD sourcebooks available for checkout in the Young Adult section! That, and our Teen Advisory Board is getting on the DnD train too. We’re having a DnD Info Session on Monday, May 16th, where tweens and teens can learn about the game, get a feel for it and maybe even make a character.
It’s a great game, and it is what you make of it. I hope you make something cool one day!
