Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science (한국문헌정보학회지)

Korean Society For Library And Information Science (한국문헌정보학회)
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A Study on the Roles of Public Libraries as Community Public Spheres: Focused on the Case of Seongbuk Public Libraries in Seoul

지역사회 공론장으로서 공공도서관 역할에 대한 연구 - 서울 성북구립도서관 사례를 중심으로 -

  • 이연옥 (부산대학교 BK21 생활밀착형정보서비스 전문인력교육연구단) ;
  • 강영아 (장위행복누림도서관)
  • Received : 2023.01.16
  • Accepted : 2023.02.15
  • Published : 2023.02.28
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Abstract

The research was undertaken to explore the role of the public library as a public sphere. For this, the characteristics and meanings of the library's role were examined by analyzing the public spheres operated by the public library. Data were collected through interviews with librarians at Seongbuk Public Libraries in Seoul. Data collected were coded using NVivo for thematic analysis. As a result of the study, the characteristics and meanings of the library's role in the public sphere were identified in the following five types; 1) A place for meeting, communication and interaction of citizens, 2) Supporting citizen learning and growth through information services and discussion on the subject, 3) Expanding civic participation in the community and strengthen civic power, 4) Strengthening citizens' experience of democracy, 5) Improving citizens' perception of libraries and expanding the library's influence on citizens. In particular, it was found that information services enhance citizen interaction and spread of public opinion on the agenda. The results of this study can be used as a basis for developing and supporting libraries as community public spheres.

본 연구는 지역사회 공론장으로서 공공도서관의 역할을 탐색하였다. 이를 위해 공공도서관이 운영한 공론장 사례에 대한 분석을 통해 공론장에서 나타나는 도서관 역할의 주요 특징과 의미를 고찰하였다. 데이터 수집은 서울 성북구립도서관의 공론장을 운영한 사서와의 면담을 통해 이루어졌다. 수집된 데이터의 주제별 분석을 위해 NVivo를 사용하여 코딩하였다. 연구 결과, 공론장에서 확인된 도서관 역할의 주요 특징과 의미는 1) 지역 주민의 만남과 소통, 교류의 장, 2) 주제에 대한 정보제공과 토론을 통한 주민의 학습과 성장 지원, 3) 지역사회의 주민 참여를 확대하고 시민으로서의 역량 강화, 4) 지역 주민의 민주주의 경험을 확대, 5) 도서관에 대한 지역 주민의 인식 개선과 주민에 대한 도서관의 영향력 확대라는 다섯 가지 유형으로 나타났다. 특히 이 연구에서는 도서관의 정보서비스를 통해 공론 주제에 대한 시민의 상호작용과 공론 확산이 강화되고 있음을 알 수 있었다. 이 연구의 결과는 도서관이 지역사회 공론장으로 개발되고 지원되기 위한 근거로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.

Keywords

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