an article by Catherine A. Johnson (Faculty of Information and Media Studies, University of Western Ontario, Canada) published in Library & Information Science Research Volume 34 Issue 1 (January 2012)
Abstract
In this qualitative study exploring the content of social interactions between library staff and patrons, interviews were held with 15 library staff members in three neighbourhood branch libraries in a large American mid-western city. An analysis of the interviews suggests that public libraries may contribute to social capital through the relationships and interactions that occur between staff and patrons.
Some of the ways in which these relationships and interactions may contribute to social capital include: building patrons’ trust in the library and its staff, connecting people to both community and library resources, providing social support for patrons, reducing social isolation, helping patrons gain skills to function in an increasingly online world, and providing a positive place for neighbourhood residents to gather. The kinds of social interactions occurring in libraries that may help to build social capital are highlighted.
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