Strategies for public libraries in the 21st century

Abstract

Abstract: Taking our reference point from the French cultural sociologist Pierre Bourdieu's idea of the Social field, in this paper we will seek to identify and discuss a number of characteristics which define the public library. As changes within the public library system are often instigated by external factors we will place special emphasis on an analysis of the status, which the library holds in society. On the basis of the above we will, while concluding, put forward our idea of strategies needed to make the public library visible in the 21st century.

Keywords:

• Public libraries
• Denmark
• Pierre Bourdieu
• Social field
• Strategies

Notes

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For a resume of the investigation in English see Jochumsen and Hvenegaard Rasmussen (2000a).