A Comparative Study of Public Libraries in Edinburgh and Copenhagen and Their Potential for Social Capital Creation

Abstract

Public libraries have always been under pressure to earn their place in society -but can their benefit to the community be proven? Although the concept of social capital can be traced back to 1916, in the past 10 years social capital theory has been linked increasingly to the public library. Social capital refers to links between people in society -"networks, norms and trust" (Putnam 1996, 34) -which produce positive outcomes for the community as a whole. The purpose of this article is to investigate the library as place and the potential of the public library to create social capital. This comprises the examination of two cases, Edinburgh City Libraries in Edinburgh, Scotland and Københavns Biblioteker in Copenhagen, Denmark in the form of a comparative case study. The methods used to elicit data included qualitative interviews with library managers, observation, and consultation of organizational documentation. The case study was limited by a small sample size, possibility of cultural bias, and lack of generalizability of evidence. Findings show that library staff in Edinburgh and Copenhagen are actively involved in creating social capital in a number of ways: through facilitating or organizing meetings, providing an informal meeting place, forging links between groups in the community, creating a welcoming environment, and by meeting community educational needs. It was found that Copenhagen and Edinburgh share in many characteristics, but have different attitudes to trust. Conclusions demonstrate that three main factors affect the library's potential to create social capital; the library building and space, the library's staff and volunteers, and the links that the library has with the community. It is recommended that further research should be carried out in the area of library as place and on the identification of factors generating social capital.

A review exploring the facets of the value of public libraries

“…The most-widely examined theme among the resources included in the review was centered on social capital in communities, focusing on the development of generalized trust (i.e. trust across the community and society broadly) (Varheim et al , 2008) and an increase in broad community engagement (Ashley and Niblett, 2014; Audunson, 2016; Barclay, 2017; Bryson et al , 2002; Buschman, 2013; Goulding, 2004, 2008; Gutsche et al , 2015; Jaeger et al , 2013; Leckie and Hopkins, 2002; McClure and Bertot, 1998; McKinley, 2017; Matthews, 2015a, b; Merlo-Vega and Chu, 2015; Miller, 2014; Oliphant, 2014; Poll, 2011; Ruiu and Ragnedda, 2016; Scott, 2011; Skelly et al , 2015; Stilwell, 2016; Tzu-Tsen Chen and Hao-Ren Ke, 2017; Usherwood and Linley, 1998; Vallet, 2013; Wavell et al , 2002; Willingham, 2008). The development of trust and community is multi-faceted in the public library setting.…”

Creating a space for autonomous learning and citizen involvement in collaboration with a public library

“…Vårheim states that libraries create social capital by vitalizing community engagement in collaboration with voluntary organizations, offering informal meeting places and general services to residents (Vårheim, 2007, p. 421), and Goulding argued that public libraries are “identified as a force for increasing social capital as they provide shared space for a variety of different groups within the community” (Goulding, 2004, p. 4). Miller (2004, p. 324) describes the enhancement effect of public libraries for creating the social capital of a wide variety of local organizations in a community as follows: Giving groups and external organizations freedom to use library space for their own activities can give these groups the chance to enhance their own bonding social capital through a mutual interest, as well as increase social capital between the group and the library itself, via the mechanism of mutual trust.…”

“…Miller also suggests that library users recognize the local library as “their own kind of culture in their own community” (Miller, 2014, p. 321). Through various meetings, programs and study sessions, the targeted group members have actively expanded their own learning networks using libraries as their basis.…”

“…Public libraries also function as arenas of civic activity. There has been some research on the specific roles of public libraries in the development of communities and the creation of social capital through the social activities of citizens (Goulding, 2004; Johnson, 2012; Vårheim, 2011; Miller, 2014). Previous research has examined how libraries create social capital and concluded that they contribute by strengthening community cohesion and fostering a sense of trust.…”

Peran Perpustakaan Umum Kota Depok pada era teknologi digital

“…Teori modal sosial menyoroti perpustakaan umum sebagai satu-satunya lembaga universalistik dalam masyarakat modern. Karena inklusivitas ini, publik diyakini perpustakaan sebagai tempat dengan potensi sosial konektivitas, dan penciptaan modal sosial (Miller, 2014…”