Not the op - but I usually feel happier leaving my laptop and stuff when i go grab a coffee/lunch/toilet break in a co-working space, over a public library.

I LOVE public libraries, but not always set up for working comfortably, especially if I need to take a call, or want to do some whiteboarding.

And lastly, paying for something sometimes makes my appreciate it more - I've paid for this space so I WILL WORK.

I do this, it’s generally a great option. Decent internet and quiet - I’m blessed to have few calls, so that’s all I need. Parking is usually easy and it’s not hard to find a chair+desk+power in the same place. (Pro tip - hotel lobbies can be good too, every hotel has a nice seating area that’s unused outside of 6-9am)

Lately though I’ve noticed a trend with libraries becoming… scarier? Even in seemingly wealthy, clean, safe areas, there’s a ~20yo pacing around very… agitated? Drugs, lack of drugs, bad day perhaps - not sure - not my specialty. My conscious brain was saying “it’s fine, you’re in a well-lit public area”

My less conscious brain eventually forced me to move to a spot against a wall, where everything was happening in at-least-peripheral vision.

It keeps techies out of comfy libraries.

I like both, but in my experience things like snacks, drinks, whiteboarding, and video calls are easier to pull off in a coworking space. Many times in libraries these are difficult, or at least higher friction

Work document privacy for NDA stuff and capability of doing meetings?