During their heyday, they were places of gathering, of leisure, of relaxation and of worship for villagers of all but the lowest classes.
在全盛时期,这里是除了最底层人民外,所有村民的聚会、休闲、放松和祭祀的地方。
2
Libraries have become modern town squares and gatheringplaces; they offer millions of New Yorkers employment counseling, English-language classes and, crucially, Internet access.