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| Id | 110 | |
| Author | Huysmans, F., ; Oomes, M., | |
| Title | Measuring the public library's societal value: A methodological research program. | |
| Reference | Huysmans, F. & Oomes, M. (2013). Measuring the public library’s societal value: A methodological research program. IFLA Journal, 39 (2): 168-177. |
Link to article | https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0340035213486412 |
| Abstract | Public libraries in the Netherlands face growing scepticism about their value to communities and society at large. The digitization of media, information and communication gives rise to questions about the library’s function, as it still is based mainly on physical service provision. Furthermore, the current economic recession causes local, regional and national governments to critically question every euro spent on cultural institutions. In this climate, there is a growing need for public libraries to show their worth – not only in an economical, but also in a more sociological sense. As standardized measurements for these values are still lacking, a research program was started to develop these outcome measurements. In this paper, we sketch the rationale behind this program and the steps the Netherlands Institute of Public Libraries is taking to develop a measurement instrument geared at validly and reliably demonstrating the societal value of public libraries. Results from the first stages of the research program will be presented: a theoretical framework of the (possible) impact of libraries on Dutch society, based on the findings of a literature study and qualitative research. The findings help us identify and conceptually enrich five domains of possible impact: cognitive, social, cultural, affective and economical. This outcome framework will guide the development of a measuring instrument. |
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| More specifically, findings show that on the individual level, the library contributes by providing access to information (stimulating and supporting information discovery; providing access to multilingual services; helping culturally and linguistically diverse communities; mediating between the user and the information available and maintaining local history and culture, and helping individuals to develop their skills (promoting learning in infancy and childhood; supporting young people/students; supporting basic literacy and encouraging reading; providing access to new technology and skills; stimulate thinking). . | On the community level, libraries are perceived to add value in the fields of: social interaction; promoting social inclusion; bridging the generation gap and providing a focal point for the community. . | The project has demonstrated that public libraries sustain the community and contribute positively to several fields reflecting four types of wellbeing in society: social (offer safe, harmonious, welcoming and inclusive environment; promote acceptance and understanding of others; ensure free and equitable access to collections; address the needs of specific target groups; contribute to develop, maintain and improve literacy levels; and preserve the past through extensive local and family history collections); cultural (play an active role in local cultural coordinating committee; participate in literary events; celeb-rate cultural diversity; work with local theatres to promote events; host local artists and travelling exhibitions; cooperate with other cultural institutions; keep alive the names and work of significant Australians); economic (enable users to avoid or reduce expenditures, enlarge job opportunities; support local businesses; build programs to establish new libraries or extend/refurbish existing libraries; assist small to medium-sized enterprises to maintain high professional standards and compete with larger organizations; contribute to tourism); environmental. . | In these domains, the library is assumed and/or proven to be influential, through its function as a warm, welcoming and neutral meeting place, as a supplier (disseminator) of information, as a multimedia learning environment, organizer of or host for cultural activities and debates, etc. . | Mission statements show that libraries seek to strengthen their communities by offering guidance; inform, culturally enrich and empower citizens; contribute to democracy, promote cohesion and inclusion, support local identity, etc.14 A further step to better illustrate this story is to describe the products, services and activities employed/per-formed to realize or support the mission. . | The overall purpose for using library computers is to perform both life-changing and routine tasks, such as finding work, applying for college, securing government benefits, and learn about critical medical treatments. . | The study shows that libraries and librarians make a fundamental contribution to the communities in four key areas: overcoming the digital divide; creating informed communities; convenient and comfortable places of learning and building social capital. . | To give an extreme example: an institution like a primary school might find that it benefits considerably from the librarys collections and its support in reading promotion activities. . |
MESOC has received funding
from Horizon 2020 - the EU Framework Programme
for Research and Innovation (2014-2020) -
under Grant Agreement n°870935.
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