scholarly journals The Life of the Space: Evidence from Nova Scotia Public Libraries

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francine May ◽  
Fiona Black
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
The Public ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Critical Feedback ◽  
Community Spaces

Objectives – To describe aspects of the 21st century role of the public library as a physical space by observing the actual use of a selection of public libraries. This study seeks to reveal how patrons are using and experiencing these institutions as spaces and how patrons and staff characterize the role of public libraries in communities. Methods – A multiple case study design was used to examine three urban and three small town public libraries within Nova Scotia, Canada. A triangulated set of methods including patron interviews and questionnaires, staff interviews, and seating sweeps was used to develop answers to the research questions. Results – These public libraries are functioning as successful public places in that they are community spaces used in a multitude of ways and where patrons feel welcome. These libraries play important roles in the lives of respondents and, while respondents were willing to give critical feedback, they generally described the spaces positively. Patron use and experience of these library spaces can be broken into three themes that describe the roles of public libraries in communities. These include the role of provider of books and information, provider of access to technology and provider of a social space where members of the public are welcome. Conclusions – Patron experiences in Nova Scotia public libraries show that libraries are vibrant places that are highly valued by their communities. A number of common themes about the use and perception of these spaces emerged, yet when examined individually each library was also revealed to be a unique place, reflecting the particular qualities of the community and the physical space of the library building itself. It is clear that public libraries are complex institutions which play a variety of valuable roles in the community.

Towards an Assessment of Public Library Value

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-51
Author(s):  
Kristine Paberza
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Free Access ◽  
The Public ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Library Development ◽  
The Impact

This paper presents methodology, early findings, possible applications of results and lessons learnt from the research study “Public libraries: value, trust and satisfaction”. The study was conducted in Latvia as the part of the impact assessment plan within the public library development project “Third Father’s Son”. The project’s goal was to improve people’s quality of life by strengthening the capacities of public libraries to facilitate better and proactive use of resources offered by free access to information technology and the Internet. In this paper, the author introduces practical results from the measurement of use-oriented value of public libraries by using information from the ecology approach and identifying the role of the public library within a context of other information sources used by the public.

Libraries and the Preservation of Public Intellectual Space and Heritage

2020 ◽  
pp. 218-230
Author(s):  
Anil Kumar Nauriya
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Public Intellectual ◽  
Public Intellectuals ◽  
The Public ◽  
Intellectual Heritage ◽  
Epistemic Justice ◽  
Primary Means

There is one aspect of Libraries that needs particularly to be highlighted, namely the role of the public library as a par excellence site that upholds the public intellectual space when contrasted to the more restricted academic space. It is a primary means by which public intellectuals and, through them, civil society, may hold even academia to account when the latter becomes confined by dead habits or restricted by institutional, bureaucratic, elitist or other, structures. It needs to be emphasized that academia and scholarship are not necessarily congruent. The interplay between academia and scholarship is crucial and that is made possible by the public library. Open libraries, especially public libraries, are at least as vital as the academia. The importance of a library or a museum is not necessarily related to its location or its size. “Preservation” and “intellectual heritage” need to be decolonized in order to realize epistemic justice.

scholarly journals Public Libraries in Norway Help Non-Western Immigrant Women to Integrate into Society

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 114
Author(s):  
Kathryn Oxborrow
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Immigrant Women ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Native Languages ◽  
Bonding Social Capital ◽  
Safe Place ◽  
The Public ◽  
Majority Culture

Abstract Objectives – To discover the ways in which the public library was used by immigrant women, with a particular focus on the library as a meeting place. Design – Semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted in the participants’ native languages. Setting – Public libraries in Norway. Participants lived in one of two cities both with a population of approximately 40,000 and a somewhat lower number of immigrants than the national average. Subjects – Nine non-western women who had immigrated to Norway between 8 months and 17 years prior to the study. Three women were from Iran, Kurdistan and Afghanistan respectively. All identified themselves as public library users. Methods – Participants were interviewed in their native languages and the qualitative results were analyzed in accordance with the theoretical framework set out by the authors. The main areas of focus were the role of the library in the generation of social capital, and the library as a high intensive versus low intensive meeting place. Main Results – Participants used public libraries in various ways. In the initial stages of life in a new country they were used to observe and learn about the majority culture and language. They were also used as a safe place to openly grieve and provide comfort among close friends without fear of being seen by other fellow countrymen. Over time, participants came to use the library space in more traditional ways such as for information, social, and professional needs. The study also revealed that using public libraries built trust in the institution of libraries and librarians as employees. Conclusions – The public library plays a key role in the generation of social capital, both in terms of integrating into the majority culture through observation and spontaneous interactions (bridging social capital) and connecting with others from participants’ home cultures (bonding social capital) for example through the provision of social space and other links to home such as native language materials. The public library was used initially by participants as a high intensive meeting place, for meeting with friends and consoling one another. In time, however, the public library became a medium- to low-intensive meeting place, with participants engaging in library programmes or in spontaneous interactions with other library customers. Moreover, the study refutes the Swedish Library Association’s conclusion that library is used more often by immigrants that have lived in the country for long periods of time.

scholarly journals The local library across the digital and physical city: Opportunities for economic development

2014 ◽  
pp. 39-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirralie Houghton ◽  
Marcus Foth ◽  
Evonne Miller
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The Public ◽  
Digital Network ◽  
Knowledge Economies ◽  
Government Planning ◽  
Potential Benefits

This paper considers the role of the public library as a community hub, engagement space, and entrepreneurial incubator in the context of the city, city governance, and local government planning. It considers this role from the perspective of library experts and their future visions for libraries in a networked knowledge economy. Public libraries (often operated by or on behalf of local governments) potentially play a pivotal role for local governments in positioning communities within the global digital network. Fourteen qualitative interviews with library experts informed the study which investigates how the relationship between digital technology and the physical library space can potentially support the community to develop innovative, collaborative environments for transitioning to a digital future. The study found that libraries can capitalise on their position as community hubs for two purposes: first, to build vibrant community networks and forge economic links across urban localities; and second, to cross the digital divide and act as places of innovation and lifelong learning. Libraries provide a specific combination of community and technology spaces and have significant tangible connection points in the digital age. The paper further discusses the potential benefits for libraries in using ICT networks and infrastructure, such as the National Broadband Network in Australia. These networks could facilitate greater use of library assets and community knowledge, which, in turn, could assist knowledge economies and regional prosperity.

scholarly journals Social responsibility in the global village: What role for public and school libraries?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Henri ◽  
Sandra Lee
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Freedom Of Information ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Global Village ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact

In our global village dominated by economic rationalism does the public library have a social conscience? Issues given prominence by Patricia Glass Schuman's Social Responsibilities and Libraries, published in 1976 were revisited. As an area of larger community structure and debates of public good, the perennial topic of interest is fast becoming the current hot topic of librarianship. Literacy and learning have long been critical areas where librarians focus service, skills and programming in public libraries. This research project seeks to examine how librarians perceive other issues that often go hand-in-hand with literacy to help individuals and society achieve full potential. The research in this presentation and paper is part of a coauthored book that primarily examined politics and the public library discussing issues given new flavour in a post 9/11 world, economic rationalism and social responsibility, public Library as Social Space, engaging the poor and those marginalized because of access limitations. Freedom of information and privacy are perennial issues for libraries. It is clear that literacy continues to be a key issue for public libraries. Researchers analyzed responses received from open-ended questions on library professional listservs and present findings that indicate what librarians perceive as the role of public libraries to further socially responsible policy. They provide some insight into the most compelling issues for librarians, and what changes in librarian's/library roles have been perceived since 9/11. The findings from the study are also presented in the context of the impact it bears for school libraries, outlining further studies in that area.

scholarly journals Kulttuurilaitoksesta valintataloksi – yleisen kirjastolaitoksen institutionaaliset tehtävämäärittelyt ja niiden kehitys Suomen itsenäisyyden aikana

2017 ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
Jarmo Saarti ◽  
Pirjo Tuomi
Keyword(s):  
Public Management ◽  
New Public Management ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Market Place ◽  
The Public ◽  
Library System ◽  
Public Role ◽  
New Public

From civic educator to a market place - the institutional definitions of the public libraries’ tasks and its development during the Finnish independence The development of the Finnish public library system can be divided into four phases. During the first two, the Swedish reign and the period of the Autonomy, the library was mainly for the upper classes and for the academic use. The trend to strengthen the library as a key actor in the educational system of the newborn independent Finland meant that the public library became an institution. This started to break down from the 1990’s onward with the implementation of the new public management techniques and with the integration of the library system as one of the key players in the information society development. The paper discusses the role of the Finnish library system in the system of the fictional literature and analyses the changes that have happened during the Finnish history. Keywords: public libraries, policies, institutional role, public role

scholarly journals Library as a Social Place

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. 48-59
Author(s):  
Wan Hashimah Wan Ismail ◽  
Lily Ting Shu Chi
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Publishing House ◽  
Public Library ◽  
New Approach ◽  
The Public ◽  
Library Users ◽  
International Publishing ◽  
The One ◽  
Open Access Article

This paper clarifies on the condition of the public libraries, focusing on the one in Alor Gajah town.  The objectives were to search the reasons for the lack of visitors to the library, the perspectives of the locals and library users, as well as the means to assimilate their viewpoints into a new approach in designing a library. The discussions in the findings include the preference of the locals, the location and the users of the public library. The strategies suggested comprise the role of the library to be redefined as a social interactive space for the community. Keywords: public library; social; Interactive space; community eISSN 2514-7528 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRAcE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) andcE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. https://doi.org/10.21834/jabs.v4i12.329

Smart libraries for smart cities: a historic opportunity for quality public libraries in India

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 26-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheshagiri Kulkarni ◽  
M. Dhanamjaya
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Library System ◽  
Service Staff ◽  
Average Size

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study globally successful public library systems with reference to their infrastructure, physical space, services, collection, processes, finances and best practices and recommend models, structure and minimum standards for smart public libraries of the upcoming 100 smart cities of India. Design/methodology/approach An email with 14 questions was sent to 50 public library system across the world. A sample of n = 18 responses were received. Findings The finding suggests that all the libraries have a central library and a good network of branch libraries across respective cities with adequate staff and collection to cater to the needs of the public. The size of the central library varied from 8,000 m2 (Cologne Public Library) – 86,000 m2 (Boston public library) and average size of the branch library varied from 200 m2 (Aarhaus) – 1,582 m2 (Barcelona). Monthly average users varied from 96,000 (Moscow) – 1.5 million (Toronto). Social implications The Indian public library system remains uneven throughout the country with varying levels of legislation, financing and quality of library services. Even a room with few books is considered as a library. The results of this study will help develop a quality public library system of global standard and ensure that libraries are transformed into knowledge hubs. Originality/value This study is a unique exploration in which different types of libraries are defined in terms of physical space, service, staff, collection based on a global model which ensures uniform growth and development of public library systems in upcoming smart cities of India.

Reading the city via the public central library in the sociocultural context: A comparative study between the Hong Kong Central Library, Shanghai Library and Taipei Public Library

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 458-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Lo ◽  
Kevin K.W. Ho ◽  
Bradley Allard ◽  
Shih-Chang Horng ◽  
Yan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Sociocultural Context ◽  
Community Members ◽  
The Public ◽  
The World ◽  
Community Spaces ◽  
The City

Public libraries across the world are well-known for the promotion of literacy and lifelong learning. However, at the same time, they are important social and community spaces in which community members can engage with each other. With this in mind, this study looks at the ways in which public libraries in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong fulfil these roles in their respective communities. The public libraries chosen for this study were namely: Shanghai Library, Taipei Public Library and Hong Kong Central Library. A total number of 788 responses were collected from all three libraries. Results from the surveys indicated that public libraries in these communities were seen as being important for providing cost-free materials, entertainment, and, especially, contributing to the overall culture of the community at large. Results indicated that the public libraries chosen for this study have social and cultural values alongside its function as an information centre. These findings will be important in understanding the sociocultural roles of public libraries in East Asia.

scholarly journals Increase of Language and Information Competence of Migrants in Multicultural Service Operation Process: Experience of Public Libraries in Federal Republic of Germany

2015 ◽  
pp. 85-90
Author(s):  
I. S. Boldyreva
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Cultural Work ◽  
Federal Republic Of Germany ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
National Education ◽  
The Public ◽  
Operation Process ◽  
The Impact

The paper examines the experience and role of the German public libraries in the process of assisting migrants to raise the level of language and information competence. The relevance of the problem is connected with a growing crisis in the German multicultural concept and seeks to provide means of achievement via intercultural library activities. The main tasks of the public library assistance to the National Education Plan are considered. The terms “multicultural services”, “multicultural library activities” and “multicultural user” are analyzed. The attention is paid to the possibilities of mass cultural work with migrants to improve language competence as well as analyzing four main groups of reader interests which have the impact on information competence building. Such forms of intercultural library activities as library tours, formal teaching, film lectures and training in the computer classes which are used in the process of information competence of migrants are considered.

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