Living room or library? The roles of physical spaces in public libraries. A case study of Idé A, Drottninghög library in Helsingborg, Sweden

Abstract: The present study explores the value and role of the physical space of the public library from the perspective of the visitors in the context of digitalization. The qualitative research was based on semi-structured interviews with regular visitors of Idé A Drottninghög (Helsingborg, Sweden), Idé A library staff members, and collaborative organizations of Idé A that make use of the library’s physical space. This made it possible to obtain insights into the perspectives of library users as well as the providers of library services. The collected data were analyzed in light of the theories and concepts that conform the theoretical framework. The library as a space was analyzed as social infrastructure, radically inclusive places, third places, and low-intensive meeting places. The results show that visitors prefer using the library services in the physical space of the library and do not engage in digitalization or the library’s digital services. The study shows that the physical space of the library is valued and used as a meeting place, a low-intensive meeting place, a third place, an inclusive place, and a social infrastructure. The findings, however, can’t be concluded that the library's physical space is a radically inclusive place.