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Cited by 58Library Science and AdministrationInformation Science and LibrariesLibrary Science and Information

Examining libraries as public sphere institutions: Mapping questions, methods, theories, findings, and research gaps

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Vårheim, Andreas, Skare, Roswitha, Lenstra, Noah·2019·Library & Information Science Research
DOI 10.1016/j.lisr.2019.04.001
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Abstract

It is common in the literature to see libraries characterized as public sphere institutions, but the exact processes by which libraries support and engage in the public sphere remain under-explored. Based on a systematic review of the research literature on libraries as public sphere institutions, this study maps the questions, methods, theories, and findings of those scholars and librarians who have examined this topic. This research finds that discussions of libraries as public sphere institutions orient around five themes: Community, management and funding, institutional structures and practices, new tools and services, and knowledge organization. Compared to existing research, more focused and stringent research designs are necessary to enhance the understanding of libraries as public sphere institutions. A focused research program can create theoretical and actionable knowledge for knowledge-based policies, strategies, and activities at the international, federal, state, and community levels.

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  • The literature on the community roles of public libraries remains fragmented across thematic domains and often under-specifies the mechanisms through which libraries generate community effects.

    “The review argues that the literature has moved decisively beyond narrow service-centred conceptions of the public library, yet remains fragmented across thematic domains and often under-specifies the mechanisms through which libraries generate community effects.”

    From Public libraries as social infrastructure: An integrative review of community roles (2026) · cites this paper as Vårheim et al., 2019

  • Vårheim et al. (2019) show that work on libraries as public sphere institutions is dispersed across multiple research questions and methods.

    “Vårheim et al. (2019) show that work on libraries as public sphere institutions is dispersed across multiple research questions and methods, while Sørensen (2021) demonstrates that value research has accumulated unevenly and still leaves important conceptual and methodological gaps.”

    From Public libraries as social infrastructure: An integrative review of community roles (2026) · cites this paper as Vårheim et al., 2019

  • The public sphere literature has not been limited to a single normative claim; it has developed as a dispersed set of questions about how libraries engage in public life and what kinds of activities count as public-sphere work.

    “Their review is especially valuable because it demonstrates that the public sphere literature has not been limited to a single normative claim.Rather, it has developed as a dispersed set of questions about how libraries engage in public life and what kinds of activities count as public-sphere work.”

    From Public libraries as social infrastructure: An integrative review of community roles (2026) · cites this paper as Vårheim et al., 2019

  • Review-based knowledge synthesis is now well established within library and information science itself.

    “Although the integrative review method has been most fully developed in nursing, health and applied social sciences (Torraco, 2016;Whittemore and Knafl, 2005), review-based knowledge synthesis is now well established within library and information science itself, as recent mapping and systematic reviews of public library scholarship demonstrate (Blanchard et al., 2026;Sørensen, 2021;Vårheim et al.”

    From Public libraries as social infrastructure: An integrative review of community roles (2026) · cites this paper as Vårheim et al., 2019

  • Vårheim et al. (2019), in a mapping review of libraries as public sphere institutions, show that the literature encompasses community, institutional practice, funding, service design and knowledge organisation.

    “Vårheim et al. (2019), in a mapping review of libraries as public sphere institutions, show that the literature encompasses community, institutional practice, funding, service design and knowledge organisation.”

    From Public libraries as social infrastructure: An integrative review of community roles (2026) · cites this paper as Vårheim et al., 2019

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Authors
Vårheim, A., Skare, R., & Lenstra, N.
Affiliations
  • UiT The Arctic University of Norway (NO)
  • University of North Carolina at Greensboro (US)
Corresponding author
Vårheim, Andreas
ORCID
Venue
Library & Information Science Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-04
Volume
41
Issue
2
Pages
93-101
ISSN
  • 0164-0763 (ISSN-L)
  • 0740-8188
DOI
10.1016/j.lisr.2019.04.001
OpenAlex
W2938646915
Cited by
58
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 1
FWCI
63.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Library & Information Science Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
The Research Council of Norway, Oslo, Norway (259052)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Library and Information Sciences › Library Science and Administration
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Information Science and Libraries
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Library Science and Information
Keywords
public sphere, library community engagement, knowledge organization, research gaps, knowledge-based policy

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