Public library facility closure: An investigation of reasons for closure and effects on geographic market areas

Koontz, Christie; Jue, Dean K.; Bishop, Bradley Wade

doi:10.1016/j.lisr.2008.12.002

Cited by 30 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The network capabilities of GIS tools mean high‐quality, evaluative resources are becoming increasingly available to assess the equity and quality of existing library provision. Given this, it would be relatively straightforward for the approach described in this paper to be replicated and applied to other contexts – such as assisting local authorities to tailor their service delivery points to best serve the needs of their communities, or to inform funding decisions by helping to identify potential gaps in library provision after recent closures (e.g., Koontz et al., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring spatiotemporal variations in public library provision following a prolonged period of economic austerity: A GIS approach

Page

Langford

Higgs

2019

Area

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This paper demonstrates the applicability of GIS tools for investigating the implications of changes in public service provision following a prolonged period of economic austerity in the UK. Using the example of geographical accessibility to public library service points in Wales, levels of provision are estimated for two cross-sections in time to gain an understanding of the potential implications of changes in service delivery models. Accessibility scores for small areas, generated using sophisticated floating catchment area (FCA) methods, enable complex spatial interactions between library service capacity and potential demand to be evaluated within realistic geographical service areas. Extending these models, we demonstrate how indicators of library service "quality" can be incorporated into access measures using the example of library operating hours for sites in three bordering Welsh local authorities, each of which have experienced differing policy responses to library service reconfiguration. Overall, the level of geographical accessibility to public library provision in Wales was found to have declined, on average, between 2011 and 2018, coinciding with a notable reduction in public library funding over the same period. While this finding is not unexpected, given an overall decrease in public library service points, this study reveals spatial inequalities in provision with areas of declining provision coinciding with pockets of greater economic deprivation. From a policy perspective, this paper demonstrates how network-based GIS tools can aid scenario/sensitivity modelling to inform public service decision-making processes. Our future research will extend these techniques to examine the implications of service reconfiguration strategies on potentially disadvantaged groups such as the elderly and the unemployed who rely on public libraries for access to e-government and broader IT services.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring spatiotemporal variations in public library provision following a prolonged period of economic austerity: A GIS approach

Page

Langford

Higgs

2019

Area

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In an investigation on the reasons for public library closure and its effects on geographical market areas, it has been argued that if libraries must close to cut down cost during times of severe economic crisis, the issue of equity of access must be taken very seriously [29]. This will ensure that certain segments of the population are not affected disproportionately.…”

Section: Access and Accessibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

GIS-based Network Analysis for Optimisation of Public Facilities Closure: A Study on Libraries in Leicestershire, United Kingdom

Efiong

2019

JGEESI

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Many public facilities in the United Kingdom are being closed without consideration to their users, leading to social exclusion. Hence, this study investigated the use of geographical information systems (GIS) in identifying public facilities which can be closed while saving cost and minimizing distance, using the libraries in Leicestershire as case study. Data for the study were obtained from secondary sources through the internet. This study used the location-allocation tool model, within the geographical information environment, to identify a set of libraries that should be closed in Leicestershire to save 20% cost and optimised for the needs of unemployed people, children of school age and pensioners (people over 65 years). Based on these considerations, the study identified the following ten libraries for closure: Barwell, Blaby, Cosby, Desford, Enderby, Groby, Hathern, Kirby Muxloe, Mounstsorrel and Sapcote. If this is adopted, it therefore means that the distance that users will need to travel from their homes to libraries in the new order would have been minimised and access not denied. This study has therefore demonstrated the use of GIS in decision making. This method is an innovation in the use of the model and should be used to evaluate library accessibility and identify those that could be closed without much negative impacts at the national level and for other facilities elsewhere.

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“…Studies performed in a situation of planning [Frederiksen 2015], temporary closure [Usherwood 2002] or permanent liquidation of libraries [Koontz et al 2009] indicate first that the libraries were underestimated before its closure and that these institutions significantly contribute to the improvement of the quality of life. Secondly, the negative impact mainly affects disadvantaged groups, such as children, the elderly (less mobility, which makes it impossible to find an alternative to library services), people with lower education and financially vulnerable, as well as women.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Public Libraries a Commonplace? Users from Disadvantaged Groups, Their Cultural Participation Models and an Impact of Libraries

Paul¹

2019

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In the article, I presented the results of the study of the social impact of Mazovian public libraries, focusing on groups of users coming from disadvantaged backgrounds-older people, people in the worse financial situation and residents of villages and small towns. Surveys were carried out in 2017 on 1098 users of 38 Mazovian public libraries (rural and urban). Based on the data I concluded that there are some differences both in the models of public libraries' use in the analyzed groups, as well as in the range of the benefits of contact with libraries.

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Public library facility closure: An investigation of reasons for closure and effects on geographic market areas

Cited by 30 publications

References 5 publications

Exploring spatiotemporal variations in public library provision following a prolonged period of economic austerity: A GIS approach

Exploring spatiotemporal variations in public library provision following a prolonged period of economic austerity: A GIS approach

GIS-based Network Analysis for Optimisation of Public Facilities Closure: A Study on Libraries in Leicestershire, United Kingdom

Are Public Libraries a Commonplace? Users from Disadvantaged Groups, Their Cultural Participation Models and an Impact of Libraries

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