“…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).…”