In this episode of A Third Place, host Peter McPhee speaks with the multi-talented Alice Garner — actor, writer, musician, historian, and teacher — about the enduring role of libraries and other “third places” in her life. From her student days in the Baillieu Library to her first job at the State Library, Alice reflects on the ways these public spaces offer safety, discovery, and community. She shares vivid memories of accidental bookshelf finds, the quiet solace of reading rooms, and the unexpected connections sparked by library graffiti. Along the way, Alice explores how libraries support people of all ages and backgrounds, and why preserving their unique mix of openness and silence matters more than ever.