Library as place: conceptual model for public libraries and their transition
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-02-2022-0046 |
| Published date | 13 July 2022 |
| Date | 13 July 2022 |
| Pages | 376-397 |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Records management & preservation,Document management,Classification & cataloguing,Information behaviour & retrieval,Collection building & management,Scholarly communications/publishing,Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance,Information management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
| Author | Marika Kawamoto,Masanori Koizumi |
Library as place: conceptual model
for public libraries and
their transition
Marika Kawamoto
Graduate School of Library, Information and Media Studies, University of Tsukuba,
Ibaraki, Japan, and
Masanori Koizumi
Faculty of Library, Information and Media Science, University of Tsukuba,
Ibaraki, Japan
Abstract
Purpose –In this information age, demonstrating the significance of physical libraries is increasingly
important.T her oles andfunctions of libraries have been discussed using the concept of the library as place
in interdisciplinary perspectives. However, the overall structure of the concept is inadequate because there
are multifacetedarguments; how the concept has changed is not clear either. The purpose of this study is to
clarify the whole pictureof the roles and functions of the library as place in public libraries and to show the
transition of the roles and functions.
Design/methodology/approach –Qualitative content analysis and time-series analysis were conducted
using 175 related articles that mentioned the roles and functions of the library as a place.
Findings –An overall of 2,966 codes about library as a place was extracted and organised into a conceptual
model, comprising 3 symbolic infrastructures (Wisdom, Heritage and Community), 11 categories (Intelligence,
Creativity, Novelty, Culture and History, Neutrality, Equality, Empowerment, Publicness, Privacy, Sociability
and Friendliness) and 30 subcategories. The study found that concepts of the library as place have developed
rapidly since the 1990s, and roles have diversified from traditional ones.
Originality/value –The conceptual model of the library as place in this study, which integrates diverse
perspectives such as physical spaces, activities and symbols, is the first of model’s kind.
Keywords Library as place, Public libraries, Library buildings, Sense of place, Qualitative content analysis
Paper type Research paper
Public libraries have become increasingly important in creating new physical significance, due to
the proliferation of e-books and electronic libraries. Given theevolving roles and services of public
libraries, different perspectives provide different arguments regarding the relevance of these
roles. Whilst collecting and preserving materials is an essential mission for librarians (Chaputula
and Kanyundo, 2014;Smith and Rowley, 2012), users may prioritise libraries as comfortable
environments for work and study (Agosto et al.,2015;Bopape et al.,2017)andcommunitiesmay
value libraries as public facilities (Aabø et al.,2010;Most, 2009) that provide local information on
the region (Bristol City Council, 2020;Mildura Rural City Council, 2020). Ideally, all roles should be
considered without over- or under-emphasising them and implemented according to local
conditions. The concept of library as a physical place enables an understanding of libraries from
multiple perspectives.
Libraries’diverse roles and functions are far too complex to be explained in one dimension,
requiring the reconstruction of the holistic picture of the library as place, an important step
for facilitating further discussion in the 21st century. In addition, understanding the historical
development of these debates sheds light on the evolving roles and functions of libraries as
JD
79,2
376
Funding: This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers JP20H04479.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/0022-0418.htm
Received 18 February 2022
Revised 14 June 2022
Accepted 16 June 2022
Journal of Documentation
Vol. 79 No. 2, 2023
pp. 376-397
© Emerald Publishing Limited
0022-0418
DOI 10.1108/JD-02-2022-0046
places. The purpose of this research is to reconstruct a conceptual model of the roles and
functions of the library as place, as well as illustrate its evolving roles and functions.
Literature review
Origins of library as place
In the late 19th century, public libraries, along with parks and museums, became increasingly
common to alleviate the harshness of daily life. The concept of library as place, which was
initially complex, arose with the spread of public libraries. According to Birdsall (1994),the
library as place was presented as a symbol of community, urban individualism and liberal
rationalism. Andrew Carnegie’s library endowment programme was strongly involved in the
spread of public libraries in North America and Europe, and many Carnegie libraries with a
classical and elegant appearance were built, particularly large central libraries in urban areas. In
contrast, branches in residential areas were small and relatively austere. Van Slyck (1995) noted
that there is tension in hierarchal thought between the local elite and working-class residents. In
addition, some large central libraries divided space to separate users of newspapers and
entertainment so that they would not distract users involved in study and research.
Library as place versus electronic library
In the 20th century, the development of information technology accelerated, inspiring the
prediction that physical libraries will eventually become redundant (Lancaster, 1982;Taylor,
1975). Consequently, the library as place was considered in opposition to the electronic library.
Whilst the electronic library had a clear role as an information tool, there was no consensus
amongst librarians regarding the library as place, as this concept was not clearly defined (Birdsall,
1994). Discussion, therefore, initially centred on academic libraries but gradually extended to
public libraries, involving public librarians (e.g. Washington Library Association, 1999).
Researchers have proposed various essential aspects of physical libraries, such as
providing access to information, calm spaces in a noisy society, an opportunity for social
interaction, programme offerings only at physical sites, assistance for children and the
elderly and as symbols of culture (Berndtson, 2003;Dobbie, 2001;Hapel, 2012;Ranseen, 2002;
Watson, 2010). However, as not all physical materials are digitised, hybrid libraries including
physical and electronic aspects have become common.
The modern library as place and social problems
In the 21st century, a multifaceted debate on library as place emerged (Buschman and Leckie,
2007). Its role was examined from various perspectives, such as a place for improving literacy
(Tetreault, 2007), a safe place for minorities and storage for materials (Rothbauer, 2007) and a
community meeting place (Hersberger et al., 2007). However, none intended to
comprehensively cover the role of library as place.
In addition to these diverse debates, an increasing number of studies did investigate the roles
of library as place in communities using theories and concepts of sociology and political science,
such as Habermas’(1962,1989) public sphere, Oldenburg’s (1999) third place and Putnam’s
(1995) social capital. The public sphere is an area that allow s discussions between citizens and
forming of public opinion, which requires discussion, openness and common interests
(Habermas, 1989). Several researchers and librarians insisted that public libraries play these
roles (Alstad and Curry, 2003;Buschman, 2005,2007;Larsen, 2020;Leckie and Buschman, 2007;
Widdersheim, 2015;Widdersheim and Koizumi, 2016;Wiegand, 2003;Williamson, 2000).
Oldenburg (1999) argued that the “third place ,”a comfortable place outside of the home (the first
place) and workplace (the second place), is necessary for forming communities. Whilst some
researchers argued that public libraries are informational places rather than third places (Fisher
Library as
place:
conceptual
model
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