Libraries and Public Perception
A Comparative Analysis of the European Press

Libraries and Public Perception explores the issue of how newspapers present libraries, their past, present and future, and investigates the quantity and quality of articles on libraries in newspapers.

Anna Galluzzi (Author)

9781843347446, Elsevier Science

Paperback / softback, published 18 August 2014

150 pages
23.3 x 15.6 x 1.1 cm, 0.22 kg

"...interesting reading for anyone seeking an evidence-based understanding of the public perception of libraries." --Australian Library Journal

What is the future of libraries? This question is frequently posed, with widespread research into the social and economic impact of libraries. Newspapers play an important role in forming public perceptions, but how do newspapers present libraries, their past, present and future? Nobody has yet taken the press to task on the quantity and quality of articles on libraries, however Libraries and Public Perception does just this, through comparative textual analysis of newspapers in Europe. After a comprehensive and useful introductory chapter, the book consists of the following five chapters: Wondering about the future of libraries; Measuring the value of libraries; Libraries in the newspapers; Contemporary challenges and public perception; Which library model from the newspapers: a synthesis.

• List of figures
• About the author
• Acknowledgements
• 1: Wondering about the future of libraries
  • Abstract
  • The debate among scientists and professionals
  • The current situation
  • Why this book? Why now?
• 2: Measuring the value of libraries
  • Abstract
  • The methods to assess the social and economic impact of libraries
  • An alternative method: the analysis of the press
  • Scope and methodology of the research
• 3: Libraries in the newspapers
  • Abstract
  • Are libraries a ‘hot’ topic?
  • Emerging issues and general perception
  • Synthesis of the quantitative analysis
  • Stories and threads
• 4: Contemporary challenges and public perception
  • Abstract
  • Looking from the inside and outside
  • Libraries and knowledge
  • Libraries and welfare
  • Libraries and the digital revolution: impact on libraries and public perception
• 5: Which library model from the newspapers: a synthesis
  • Abstract
  • Threats and opportunities for future libraries
  • Recommendations to librarians
• References
• Index

Subject Areas: Sales & marketing [KJS], Library, archive & information management [GLC]