Five new reports based on research funded by the Research and Innovation Centre are now available. Documenting the experience of library users, staff, and local politicians it shows that public library services promote social cohesion and create confidence in individuals and communities.
Public libraries are community landmarks that reinforce community identity.
They also help individuals, especially older people, overcome the problems of social isolation and loneliness. The recognised and established functions of the public library in terms of reading, education, information, culture and leisure also remain important. The report argues that qualitative data, properly gathered, are valid evidence and should be used as such by politicians and professionals. The report provides policy makers, practitioners and academics with a framework for understanding the social impact of the library. This can be used as a practical tool by library managers to identify the factors that can help and hinder the achievement of social objectives.