• The great public libraries debate - do bricks and mortar still matter? A case study of Canada Water Library, Southwark, London examining current attitudes to a modern library space.

    Author(s):
    Alison Martino (see profile)
    Date:
    2015
    Group(s):
    CityLIS, Library & Information Science
    Subject(s):
    Library science, Information science, Public libraries
    Item Type:
    Dissertation
    Institution:
    City University
    Tag(s):
    #CityLis, Library and information science
    Permanent URL:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/M6CT16
    Abstract:
    This study aimed to examine in depth a newly-built modern public library to gain insight into attitudes to and perceptions of a modern library space in 2014. It used as a starting point a previous study carried out in 2005 and published by Black (2011) which gathered Mass Observation Archive data on public perceptions of public library buildings at the start of the 21st century. This study aimed to evaluate attitudes a decade on to determine if physical public library spaces still matter. A single case study methodology was used to add detail to the extant general literature on public libraries and provide insight into current attitudes to a purpose-built library in the heart of a community and how it meets users’ needs and expectations. A printed questionnaire looking at the library’s location, design and use of space was handed out to a sample of users. The results show that the physical library is still important to users who are proud of how it looks and the contribution it makes to their local community and area. The findings also show that the case study library is meeting the needs of its diverse user groups very well by providing access to resources, support, IT and space.
    Metadata:
    xml
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    6 years ago
    License:
    All Rights Reserved
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