Arenas for conflict or cohesion? : Rethinking public libraries as potentially democratic spheres
Engström, Lisa LU
(2022)
Conceptions of Library and Information Science
In Information Research
27(Special Issue).
- Abstract
- Introduction. In policies and research, public libraries are often put forth as public spheres promoting inclusion and shared values. This article investigates possible implications of replacing the idea of the library as public sphere with a plurality of public spheres, thereby acknowledging existing inequalities and conflicts between adversaries.
Method. The paper is conceptual, focusing on deepening the theoretical analysis. Analysis. Fraser’s elaboration on the concept public sphere is utilized alongside Chantal Mouffe’s concept agonism to critically discuss the perception of libraries as public spheres, and to explore the library as a place enabling multiple public spheres where different groups can strengthen their social... (More) - Introduction. In policies and research, public libraries are often put forth as public spheres promoting inclusion and shared values. This article investigates possible implications of replacing the idea of the library as public sphere with a plurality of public spheres, thereby acknowledging existing inequalities and conflicts between adversaries.
Method. The paper is conceptual, focusing on deepening the theoretical analysis. Analysis. Fraser’s elaboration on the concept public sphere is utilized alongside Chantal Mouffe’s concept agonism to critically discuss the perception of libraries as public spheres, and to explore the library as a place enabling multiple public spheres where different groups can strengthen their social identity and make claims of power.
Results. Two main risks with a consensus-oriented starting point are identified: Firstly, marginalized groups may be silenced when inclusion and shared values are emphasized rather than plurality. Secondly, when cultural and social hierarchies are ignored, the ‘others’ are turned into enemies and antagonism replace agonism.
Conclusion. If the notion of libraries as promoters of democracy and inclusion shall not result in upholding the status quo, we must go beyond what we know and make room for pluralistic communities and agonistic conflicts. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/f7b9bddf-4b4e-46b4-b574-771162aae3b4
- author
- Engström, Lisa
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2022-10
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Public libraries, Antagonism, Public sphere, Democracy
- in
- Information Research
- volume
- 27
- issue
- Special Issue
- article number
- colis2220
- publisher
- Thomas Daniel Wilson
- conference name
- Conceptions of Library and Information Science
- conference location
- Oslo, Norway
- conference dates
- 2022-05-29 - 2022-06-01
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85144861256
- ISSN
- 1368-1613
- DOI
- 10.47989/colis2220
- project
- Lund Critical Library Studies
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- f7b9bddf-4b4e-46b4-b574-771162aae3b4
- date added to LUP
- 2022-11-01 14:19:39
- date last changed
- 2024-02-02 07:16:15
@article{f7b9bddf-4b4e-46b4-b574-771162aae3b4,
abstract = {{Introduction. In policies and research, public libraries are often put forth as public spheres promoting inclusion and shared values. This article investigates possible implications of replacing the idea of the library as public sphere with a plurality of public spheres, thereby acknowledging existing inequalities and conflicts between adversaries.<br/>Method. The paper is conceptual, focusing on deepening the theoretical analysis. Analysis. Fraser’s elaboration on the concept public sphere is utilized alongside Chantal Mouffe’s concept agonism to critically discuss the perception of libraries as public spheres, and to explore the library as a place enabling multiple public spheres where different groups can strengthen their social identity and make claims of power.<br/>Results. Two main risks with a consensus-oriented starting point are identified: Firstly, marginalized groups may be silenced when inclusion and shared values are emphasized rather than plurality. Secondly, when cultural and social hierarchies are ignored, the ‘others’ are turned into enemies and antagonism replace agonism.<br/>Conclusion. If the notion of libraries as promoters of democracy and inclusion shall not result in upholding the status quo, we must go beyond what we know and make room for pluralistic communities and agonistic conflicts.}},
author = {{Engström, Lisa}},
issn = {{1368-1613}},
keywords = {{Public libraries; Antagonism; Public sphere; Democracy}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{Special Issue}},
publisher = {{Thomas Daniel Wilson}},
series = {{Information Research}},
title = {{Arenas for conflict or cohesion? : Rethinking public libraries as potentially democratic spheres}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.47989/colis2220}},
doi = {{10.47989/colis2220}},
volume = {{27}},
year = {{2022}},
}