Library as place: conceptual model for public libraries and their transition

Abstract

PurposeIn this information age, demonstrating the significance of physical libraries is increasingly important. The roles and functions 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 multifaceted arguments; how the concept has changed is not clear either. The purpose of this study is to clarify the whole picture of the roles and functions of the library as place in public libraries and to show the transition of the roles and functions.Design/methodology/approachQualitative content analysis and time-series analysis were conducted using 175 related articles that mentioned the roles and functions of the library as a place.FindingsAn 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/valueThe 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.

Practices of the “Library as Place” in Norway

“…The Norwegian was translated into English by Google translate. The “Library as Place” model by Kawamoto and Koizumi (2023) was used as an analysis framework.…”

“…Jochumsen et al (2012) proposed a public library model appropriating social change and advocated a four‐space model reflecting the local library's profile model of Skot‐Hansen (1996) with four library goals: experience, empowerment, involvement, and innovation, and four spaces: inspiration, learning, meeting, and performative spaces. Kawamoto and Koizumi (2023) examined the overall roles and functions of the “Library as Place” in public libraries through qualitative content and time‐series analyses of related research to construct a conceptual model of the “Library as Place.” However, it is unclear how these roles and functions appear in policies for modern library management and concrete practices.…”

Libraries: Spaces for Belonging, Support, and Partnerships

“…Library spaces are designed to serve as complex cultural spaces that foster community collaboration (Kawamoto & Koizumi, 2023). Many libraries offer spaces intended for knowledge sharing.…”

Social infrastructuring in public libraries: librarians' continuous care in everyday library practice

“…Aabø et al, 2010;Audunson et al, 2020;Buschman, 2005). The notion of the library as place has evolved and expanded over time, and its roles and functions have transitioned from traditional to a more diverse range of activities (Kawamoto and Koizumi, 2022). The withdrawal of physical public services in many Western countries has resulted in a growing demand on libraries and their staff to assist people with social services, for example, communication with authorities concerning financial, legal and medical matters Michnik, 2018).…”