Gracious space: Library programming strategies towards immigrants as tools in the creation of social capital

Abstract

Recent research on the generation of social trust and social capital gives public institutions prominent roles as instruments for creating social capital. Less is known about the specific institutions and actual mechanisms creating social capital. In this is, for theory development, and for library practice.3

Trust and the role of the public library in the integration of refugees: The case of a Northern Norwegian city

“…The effects of library programming on social trust have received little scholarly attention (Vårheim, 2011;Vårheim, under review). Even less is known about the effects on trust of library programming for immigrants.…”

“…Likewise, the literature on the extent to which public libraries create trust is scarce (Vårheim et al, 2008;Johnson and Griffis, 2009;Johnson, 2010;Vårheim, 2011;Johnson, 2012;Vårheim, under review; for an overview of the pre-2007…”

“…literature, see Vårheim (2007)), and in relation to immigrants and social trust, even more so (Vårheim, 2011;Vårheim, under review …”

“…3 institutions with characteristics that have positively influenced the trust levels of immigrants attending library programmes in American southwestern states (Vårheim, 2011;Vårheim, under review). This paper investigates whether this is the case for refugees attending public library programmes while they are enrolled in a compulsory introductory programme to Norwegian language and society organized by Norwegian immigrant authorities.…”

Assessment of the walking accessibility of public libraries in Krakow using the E2SFCA approach

“…Growing numbers of libraries are redefining their mission and evolving towards a "third place", other than private, home spaces and study-or workplaces, where one can not only study or read a book, but also meet both old and new friends, and engage in social and cultural activities (Aabø, Audunson & Vårheim 2010;Elmborg 2011;Edwards, Robinson & Unger 2013). Libraries are thus more and more frequently considered as key institutions in building and enhancing social capital resources (Vårheim, Steinmo & Ide 2008;Ferguson 2012;Svendsen 2013) through strengthening existing neighbourhood ties thus fostering new relations, especially by integrating new inhabitants in a local community (Elbeshausen & Skov 2004;Audunson, Essmat & Aabø 2011;Vårheim 2011;Johnson 2012). Libraries are expected to play this new, broader role in their communities because firstly, they are perceived as open and safe for different social groups and secondly, they represent cultural institutions with the densest network of units present in both larger and smaller settlements, being closest to large numbers of both urban and rural populations (Murzyn-Kupisz & Działek 2015).…”