Andreas Vårheim|Sven Steinmo|Eisaku Ide
Do libraries matter? Public libraries and the creation of social capital
OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University|European University Institute|Yokohama National University
purpose librarians library profession keep repeating libraries contribute greatly generating social capital building community however little evidence presented paper aims first step towards correcting situation asking whether public libraries matter creation generalized trust designmethodologyapproach study used quantitative data analyzing macrolevel data whether public library expenditure could explain social trust patterns oecd countries additionally qualitative interviews public library leaders usa norway used indicate mechanisms processes libraries generate generalized trust findings main finding public libraries seem important factor creating generalized trust oecd area even efficientimpartial public institutions however problem causal direction might case high trusting countries prioritize public libraries therefore times series data needed well qualitative data process trust creation library interviews library leaders point towards fact see outreach activities creating trust people trust library replication results however crucial moreover findings appear indicate librarys attention directed disadvantaged groups nonusers widespread trust public library institution breeds trust among groups originalityvalue paper contributes understandingtheory creation generalized trust general role public library process