Public libraries as public sphere institutions: A comparative study of perceptions of the public library’s role in six European countries

• Published in: Journal of documentation 2019, Vol.75 (6), p.1396-1415
• Main Authors: Audunson, Ragnar, Aabø, Svanhild, Blomgren, Roger, Hobohm, Hans-Christoph, Jochumsen, Henrik, Khosrowjerdi, Mahmood, Mumenthaler, Rudolf, Schuldt, Karsten, Rasmussen, Casper Hvenegaard, Rydbeck, Kerstin, Tóth, Máté, Vårheim, Andreas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anglo Americans; Attitude Change; Biblioteks- och informationsvetenskap; Biblioteks- og informasjonsvitenskap: 320; Citizenship; Citizenship information; Community; Community Involvement; Community meeting place; Community Relations; Community Resources; Contemporary literature; Democracy; Evidence; Folkebibliotek / Public libraries; Gender; Habermas; Immigration policy; Informasjonspolitikk: 322; Information Networks; Information policy: 322; Information Services; Legislation; Libraries; Library and Information Science; Library and information science: 320; Library law; Library Networks; Library Role; Library Services; Literature Reviews; Meetings; Mission statements; Noncitizens; Norwegian; Offentlighet / Public sphere; Perceptions; Public libraries; Public Opinion; Public sphere; Samfunnsvitenskap: 200; Social capital; Social role of libraries; Social sciences: 200; Society; VDP
• ISSN: 0022-0418; 1758-7379; 1758-7379
• DOI: 10.1108/JD-02-2019-0015

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of public libraries as institutions underpinning a democratic public sphere as reasons legitimizing libraries compared to reasons that are more traditional and the actual use of libraries as public sphere arenas.Design/methodology/approachA survey of representative samples of the adult population in six countries – Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Hungary and Switzerland – was undertaken.FindingsLegitimations related to the libraries role as a meeting place and arena for public debate are ranked as the 3 least important out of 12 possible legitimations for upholding a public library service. Libraries are, however, used extensively by the users to access citizenship information and to participate in public sphere relevant meetings.Originality/valueFew studies have empirically analyzed the role of libraries in upholding a democratic and sustainable public sphere. This study contributes in filling that gap.