1. The Rural Public Library as Place: Highlights from a case study Linda R. Most Assistant Professor, MLIS Program, Valdosta State U. GaCOMO presentation October 9, 2009 Funded in part by a Beta Phi Mu Eugene Garfield Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship

2. 2 Why people visit public libraries:  use informational and reading-related resources and services,  make social or business contacts,  build or reinforce community or political ties,  create or reinforce a personal identity.

3. 3 Conceptual Framework  The Public Sphere (Habermas, 1991) The part of the social world that sits between the private sphere -- the home -- and the sphere of public authority – the world of government and the state. Also understood as “civic space” (Schudson, 1998).  Third Place Theory (Oldenburg, 1999) the social sites where people go to experience community when at leisure or between home and work – 8 criteria  Informational Places (Fisher, et al., 2007) an expansion of Third Place Theory: the concept of an informational place adds information seeking and consumption as a core attribute of place.  Public Realm Theory (Lofland, 1998) realms are urban social territories that have fluid boundaries and support a variety of person to person and person to place public relationships  Social Capital Theory (Putnam, 2000; many others) the action of social networking generates a form of capital that an individual can use to enhance personal or group productivity within the social world.

4. 4 Study Setting: Gadsden County, Florida  48,000 residents, majority African- American  42nd of 67 counties in Florida in overall population  second only to Miami-Dade County in percentage overall minority population  has the highest percentage of African-American residents -- 56.8%  high percentage of female heads of household below poverty level – 34.5%  fourth highest percentage of students eligible for the free/reduced price lunch program -- 71.1%

5. 5 Study site: Gadsden County Public Library System  Established in 1979  Havana Public Library – branch, 2003, Population 1,764  William A. “Bill” McGill Main Library – Quincy, 2006, Population 7,300  Chattahoochee Public Library – branch, 2007 Population 3,833 Unincorporated population: 32,222, served by bookmobile and deposit collection

6. 6 Research Questions  The major question: How are the Gadsden County Library System library buildings functioning as places?  Sub-questions: RQ 1: Who are the users of the Gadsden County library buildings? RQ 2: How do Gadsden County’s adult library users describe their perceptions of their local library’s services and amenities? RQ 3: What do Gadsden County’s adult library users think of the building design elements, layouts and furnishings of their three libraries? RQ 4: What use do Gadsden County’s adult library users make of their library buildings? RQ 5: What insights can Gadsden County’s adult library users and staff provide about the role of the public library in their communities?

7. 7 Findings: Research Question 1 Who are the adult users of the Gadsden County library buildings?  GENDER Observed: 42% male and 58% female. Interviewed: 27% male and 73% female. Surveyed: 22% male and 78% female.  AGE 18 – 30 = 32% Between ages 30 – 60 = 41% Over 60 = 17%  RESIDENCE 80% live less than 15 minutes from their library 12% live in another county or state.  EDUCATION high school education or some college = 62% college diploma, post-graduate study, or post-graduate degree = 32%  OCCUPATION Range of occupations from unemployed, homemaker, retired, to professional

8. 8 Research Question 2 How do Gadsden County’s adult library users describe their perceptions of their local library’s services and amenities? MOST important service  access to technology37%  provides fiction/literature (for recreational reading)21%  Personal study (homework, research, etc.)19%  Ref. and info. Services13%  a place to read12%  Life-long learning (educ. support) 12%  community information 8%  community events4.5%  Other3.5%  place to socialize 3% LEAST important service  place to socialize53%  access to technology 8%  community information 7%  place to read 6%  community events5.5%  Personal study (homework, research, etc.)5.5%  ref and info services 4.%  provides fiction/literature (for recreational reading) 2%  Other 2%  Life-long learning (educ. support) 0  82% of participants report that they talk with staff members when visiting the library

9. 9 Research Question 3: What do Gadsden County’s adult library users think of the building design elements, layouts and furnishings of their three libraries? Best feature  Computers 19  Staff 19  New building 14  Collection 10  Internet 8 Worst feature  None or not applicable35  Hours (not open enough hours)11  Collection (not big enough) 9  Computers (need more) 9  Noisy 6 Top 5 comments about the buildings  Positive community feature or asset 23  Nice, really nice, very nice, 16  Building or facility is: 18 Well designed, Beautiful or great, pretty good or nice building, terrific building, attractive,  Comfortable 6  Convenient 4

10. 10 Research Question 4: What use do Gadsden County’s adult library users make of their library buildings? – Survey responses Top ten reasons for visiting a GCPLS library  Use the Internet 53%  Borrow/return materials for myself 35%  Look for information on a subject 31%  Browse 25%  Read 20%  Use e-mail 19%  Borrow/return materials for others (children, family, friends) 14%  Other 13%  Use children’s services 10%  Study in library with own materials 10% Importance of electronic resources  Over 70% of respondents said they use the libraries’ electronic resources at least sometimes.  Over 80% of respondents rank library electronic resources as at least important.  Over 25% ranked electronic resources as crucial.  95% DO NOT bring a laptop with them to their library.

11. 11 Research Question 4: What use do Gadsden County’s adult library users actually make of their library buildings? – Interview Responses  Why are you at the library today? Borrow or return collection items 41% Online Activities41% schoolwork or study 19% Online job hunting 12% Online use, other10% Other place-based services or activities 17%  Opinions about how the libraries are used by others “Valuable, appreciated, well used” “Used by the whole community (it is a collective good)” “Everything is used” “Children’s services are important” “Computers are important because not everybody has one”

12. 12 Research Question 5: What insights can Gadsden County’s adult library users and staff provide about the role of the public library in their communities?  Primary Purpose of the libraries Community resource23.5% Education23.5% Information & Research18 % Internet & computers14 % Reading & Books11 % Entertainment 3 % Recreation 3 %

13. 13 Theoretical Interpretations: How are the GCPLS buildings functioning as place?  as Informational Places often providing the only reliable access to digital and print information for many residents.  as Community centers that support activities that build community, and support personal growth and education.  Library meeting rooms play an important role in providing a place for activities that generate social capital and support the public sphere.  As Public Realm Familiarized Locales that support ongoing Intimate Secondary relationships that are important to participants even if they don’t consider them as social relationships.  As places that support the social nature of reading.