Inclusive Ideals, Institutional Limits: A Decade of Research on Public Libraries and Social Connection
- 10 August 2026
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Public Library Quarterly
- p. 1-25
Abstract
Public libraries have long been understood as cornerstones of democratic life, learning, and community engagement. In recent years, however, their social role has become newly visible as communitie...Keywords
Funding Information
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
- Employment and Social Development Canada
This publication has 47 references indexed in Scilit:
- The public library as social infrastructure for older patrons: Exploring the implications of online library programming for older adults during COVID-19Library & Information Science Research, 2022
- Scenarios of technology use to promote community engagement: Overcoming marginalization and bridging digital divides in the Southern and Central Appalachian rural librariesInformation Processing & Management, 2020
- Libraries Full Circle: The Cross Section of Community, the Public Sphere, and Third PlacePublic Library Quarterly, 2020
- Boundaries, Third Spaces and Public Libraries2018
- “Our Public Library”: Social reproduction and urban public space in TorontoWomen's Studies International Forum, 2015
- Use of library space and the library as placeLibrary & Information Science Research, 2012
- How do public libraries create social capital? An analysis of interactions between library staff and patronsLibrary & Information Science Research, 2012
- Do public libraries contribute to social capital?Library & Information Science Research, 2010
- How do public libraries function as meeting places?Library & Information Science Research, 2010
- The third placeQualitative Sociology, 1982