Broadening the concept of public libraries as a public sphere : connecting political philosophy and library practice

Purpose The concept of public libraries as a public sphere, in which citizens engage in discussions on cultural and political issues, has garnered attention. At the same time, there is a growing need for a social environment that fosters interaction among patrons and support citizen engagement. Against this background, this study aims to provide a foundation for a broader understanding of public libraries as a public sphere, utilising concepts from political philosophy as analytical tools. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a theory-driven qualitative approach combining conceptual analysis and literature analysis. Key concepts from the works of political philosophers Habermas, Arendt, Mouffe and Pateman underpin the analytical framework for understanding the public sphere in contemporary public libraries. The framework is then applied to a reading of 89 journal articles on the public library and democracy, from which 109 descriptions of library services are identified and mapped onto three analytical stages. Findings The article proposes a three-stage framework as a structure for the public sphere in modern public libraries: the Meeting Others Stage, the Group Engagement Stage and the Public Discussion Stage. Three additional and supportive categories are also identified: Safe Public Spaces, Information Literacy Facilitation and Information Sharing with Other Social Realms. This framework can serve as a conceptual guide for how public libraries develop into places for public discussion that contribute to local democracy, beginning with the Meeting Others Stage. Originality/value This study extends the concept of public libraries as a public sphere from a focus on citizen debate to include social encounters, linking political philosophy to library practice.