• How do public libraries function as meeting places? 

      Vårheim, Andreas; Aabø, Svanhild; Audunson, Ragnar Andreas (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2010)
    • Public libraries as an infrastructure for a sustainable public sphere: A comprehensive review of research 

      Audunson, Ragnar Andreas; Aabø, Svanhild; Blomgren, Roger; Evjen, Sunniva; Jochumsen, Henrik; Larsen, Håkon; Rasmussen, Casper Havnegaard; Vårheim, Andreas; Johnston, Jamie; Koizumi, Masanori (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-07-08)
      <i>Purpose</i>: The purpose of this paper is to examine the shaping of public libraries as an infrastructure for a sustainable public sphere through a comprehensive literature review. <p> <p><i>Design/methodology/approach</i>: In order to capture the whole picture of this research field, we utilize comprehensive review methodology. The major research questions are: first, to what extent have ...
    • Public libraries as public sphere institutions: A comparative study of perceptions of the public library’s role in six European countries 

      Audunson, Ragnar Andreas; Aabø, Svanhild; Blomgren, Roger; Hobohm, Hans Christoph; Jochumsen, Henrik; Khosrowjerdi, Mahmood; Mumenthaler, Rudolf; Schuldt, Karsten; Rasmussen, Casper Hvenegaard; Rydbeck, Kerstin; Toth, Mate; Vårheim, Andreas (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-09-26)
      <i>Purpose</i> – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of public libraries as institutions underpinning a democratic public sphere as reasons legitimizing libraries compared to reasons that are more traditional and the actual use of libraries as public sphere arenas. <p> <p><i>Design/methodology/approach</i> – A survey of representative samples of the adult population in six ...
    • Public libraries, social capital, and low intensive meeting places 

      Audunson, Ragnar Andreas; Vårheim, Andreas; Aabø, Svanhild; Holm, Erling Dokk (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2007)
      Introduction. This paper presents a research project aiming at eliciting the potential of public libraries in building social capital, and promoting generalized trust in today's multicultural society. Method. Two approaches to research, the societal approach and the institutional approach are identified. The concept of low intensive versus high intensive meeting places is presented. A survey ...