scholarly journals Do libraries matter? Public libraries and the creation of social capital

2008 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 877-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Vårheim ◽  
Sven Steinmo ◽  
Eisaku Ide
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
The Creation

The Public Library and Social Capital: Examining the Role of Public Libraries in Building Social Cohesion

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Johnson ◽  
Matthew Griffis
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Capital Social ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Creation

This paper examines the role of the public library in building strong communities. It reports on a study that asked patrons through interviews and questionnaires about their use of the library and explores whether this use has had an effect on the creation of both community and individual social capital.Cet article examine le rôle de la bibliothèque publique dans le renforcement des collectivités. Seront présentés les résultats d'entrevues auprès d'usagers et d'un questionnaire portant sur l'utilisation de la bibliothèque ainsi qu'une exploration de l'effet de cette utilisation sur la création d'un capital social collectif et individuel. 

The role of public libraries in the development of social capital in local communities – a theoretical study

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-196
Author(s):  
Maja Dorota Wojciechowska
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

PurposeSocial capital, understood as intangible community values available through a network of connections, is a factor in the development of societies and improving quality of life. It helps to remove economic inequalities and prevent poverty and social exclusion, stimulate social and regional development, civic attitudes and social engagement and build a civic society as well as local and regional identity. Many of these tasks may be implemented by libraries, which, apart from providing access to information, may also offer a number of services associated with social needs. The purpose of this paper is to present the roles and functions that libraries may serve in local communities in terms of assistance, integration and development based on classical social capital theories.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the classical concepts of social capital in the context of libraries. It analyses the findings of Pierre-Félix Bourdieu, James Coleman, Francis Fukuyama, Robert Putnam, Nan Lin, Ronald Stuart Burt, Wayne Baker and Alejandro Portes. Based on their respective concepts, the paper analyses the role of the contemporary library in the social life of local communities. In particular, it focuses on the possible new functions that public libraries may serve.FindingsA critical review of the concept of social capital revealed certain dependencies between libraries and their neighbourhoods. With new services that respond to the actual social needs, libraries may serve as a keystone, namely they may integrate, animate and engage local communities. This, however, requires a certain approach to be adopted by the personnel and governing authorities as well as infrastructure and tangible resources.Originality/valueThe social engagement of libraries is usually described from the practical perspective (reports on the services provided) or in the context of research on the impact of respective projects on specific groups of users (research reports). A broader approach, based on original social theories, is rarely encountered. The paper draws on classical concepts of social capital and is a contribution to the discussion on possible uses of those concepts based on an analysis of the role of libraries in social life and in strengthening the social capital of local communities.

scholarly journals Public libraries: places creating social capital?

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 372-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Vårheim
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Public Libraries

Entrepreneurs’ network evolution – the relevance of cognitive social capital

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Jonsson
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Private Information ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Network Evolution ◽  
Fashion Industry ◽  
Cognitive Dimension ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Cognitive Social Capital

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate entrepreneurs’ network evolution in the start-up phase. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the case studies of six fashion start-up firms, this study uses a three-dimensional perspective on social capital (structural, relational, cognitive) to investigate entrepreneurs’ network evolution (i.e. initiation of new relationships) in the start-up phase so as to acquire resources and support for firms’ goals. The study focuses particularly on the understudied cognitive dimension of social capital. The fashion industry provides a relevant research setting because it is characterised by changes in demand, which generate opportunities for entrepreneurship. Findings – The findings show that the display of cognitive attributes is important for the creation of structural social capital (the establishment of new relationships). The findings also indicate that relationships initiated based on the cognitive dimension have a high probability of developing into embedded relationships, thereby becoming high in the relational dimension and providing access to private information containing referrals to other actors. Thus, these relationships also promote the continued development of the structural dimension. Originality/value – The findings imply that the entrepreneurs’ sets of cognitive attributes constitute an important asset in the creation of social capital. They also point to the importance of signalling these values to potential resource holders. Relationships initiated through the display of cognitive attributes can provide resources without requiring immediate economic remuneration.

The National Library of Chile

1991 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ursula Schadlich
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
National Culture ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
National Library ◽  
National Network ◽  
Technical Control ◽  
Integrated Policy ◽  
Dual Character ◽  
The Creation

In 1812 the creation of a public library was proposed for the encouragement of education and national culture. This was eventually to become the National Library of Chile. Its first Director, Manuel de Salas, was the author of the legal deposit law. For the first 100 years the library held the dual character of central collection library and public library. Gradually its public library functions were transferred to other bodies, under the administrative and technical control of the National Coordination of Public Libraries, which reports to the Director of the National Library. As it grew in importance and volume over the years, the library moved three times. The present building, begun in 1913, was completed in 1963, with some additional alterations in 1980 and 1981. The creation of the Office of Libraries, Archives and Museums in 1929 made possible an integrated policy for conserving, safeguarding and disseminating the national cultural heritage. The application of computer systems to bibliographic processes – notably the NOTIS system – has led to national network of bibliographic information (RENIB) that now includes academic and public libraries, the Library of Congress of Chile, and other documentation centres.

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