The effect of public library use on the social capital of rural communities

Abstract

This paper reports on a study that investigated the relationship between social capital and public library use in small towns in Ontario, Canada. Comparisons were also made with the findings of a similar study that was conducted in a medium-sized urban centre. Data for this study were collected through questionnaires administered to both library users and non-users and interviews with library staff and frequent library users. Both Robert Putnam's and Nan Lin's conceptualizations of social capital informed the design of this study. The study found that participants from small towns had higher levels of social capital than the urban participants. However, in contrast with urban participants, library use had no significant association with levels of social capital for small town participants. The findings suggest that small town libraries cater mainly to middle-class residents who maintain their high level of social capital through participation in a variety of community activities and organizations.

Social capital and inclusion in rural public libraries: A qualitative approach

“…The quantitative results of the study have been reviewed in a separate article, which focuses largely on the first question (Johnson and Griffis, forthcoming). The quantitative data strongly suggest that rural library use does not play a significant role in building or maintaining levels of social capital in small towns in Southwestern Ontario.…”

Public library as a place and breeding ground of social capital: A case of Singang Library

“…However, owing to the characteristics of the communities that public libraries served, any two public libraries might not have the same influence on social capital. A Canada study showed that public libraries in rural communities had no significant association with social capital owing that the social network in a rural community was comparatively tighter than in an urban community (Johnson and Griffis 2014). In contrast with a rural community, a public library in an urban community has more influence on social capital because the latter provides relatively higher quality resources for low-income inhabitants, increasing their connection with the public library and then form the community cohesiveness.…”

Application of Agent-based Modeling for Cultural Information-based Decisions Making

“…Šios koreliacijos yra ryškesnės bendruomenės nei individo lygmeniu (Anheier ir kt., 2017;Azevedo, 2016;Beaudoin, 2009;Brown ir kt., 2012;Delaney, Keaney, 2005;Freitag. 2003;Fujiwara ir kt., 2014;Hoffman, Appiah, 2008;Hoye ir kt., 2015;Yun ir kt., 2018;Johnson, 2010;Johnson, Griffis, 2013;Larson ir kt. 2006;Lee ir kt., 2016;Lewicka, 2005;Lizardo, 2006;Okayasu ir kt., 2010;Polzella, Forbis, 2013;Romer ir kt., 2009;Seippel, 2006;Wilson, Musick, 1997).…”