Rethinking Functioning of Public Libraries from the Perspective of Jürgen Habermas Public Sphere

This study examines one of the factors leading to the transformation of public libraries into a social center. It explores how public libraries could become a place for frequent and daily visit for citizens to interact, receive information, and develop knowledge.

The literature of social functions of public libraries and the literature of Public Sphere as proposed by Jürgen Habermas was reviewed. To ensure thoroughness of the review, citation chain technique was used, i.e. each relevant items retrieved was also checked for its citations. If the cited item was not found in databases, it was searched by title and the author name.

Public Sphere perspective in libraries can be realized in a way that legitimizes social issues and affairs. A public sphere framework can  demonstrate their values and socio-political status. They can offer three areas of discourse, namely, governance and management, legitimation, and commons in the public sphere, as such to establish a two-way communication between the library and the community. The public sphere perspective in libraries can focus on how to manage and establish the legitimacy of public libraries through socially equitable means. A public sphere framework may provide an effective way to express the political and social value of public libraries. Public libraries can offer three areas of public discourse. The three areas connect the library to their community.  Review showed that research in the area could be divided into two thematic categories. The first one examine how libraries function as public sphere infrastructure, the other one examines public libraries. If we expect the library to continue to maintain an actual community, and to attract the community in the time of pervasiveness of social media, it must develop the ability to penetrate the heart of people's lives. As a necessary component for their survival.

Before public libraries become part of the public sphere, research should be conducted to develop a single model.  An operational model is needed then for navigating to proceed. To turn the library to a place for daily use and a place for citizens to meet each other and communicate.