Designing a conceptual model of public libraries as community centers based on the public sphere theory of Jürgen Habermas

The aim of this study is to achieve a conceptual model for the transformation of Iranian public libraries into social centers, based on the theory of the public sphere of Jürgen Habermas.

The current research is applied in terms of purpose, survey in terms of the data collection method, and is a mixed-method study of exploratory type in terms of the nature of the data, which was conducted with a systematic approach to grounded theory. In the qualitative section, first, by conducting 33 interviews and 2 focus groups, effective factors were identified and extracted. The validity of these factors was proved through the content validity ratio (CVR) and their reliability was also proved by the Fleissʼ kappa coefficient test. In the quantitative part, the reliability of the tool was confirmed using a 117-item questionnaire with an average of 0.86. Finally, the factors were ranked using the Shannon entropy method.

The seven factors of human resources, construction and equipment, social, political, structural, cultural and economic have an effect on the transformation of public libraries into social centers, among which the cultural factor has the greatest effect and economic factor has the smallest effect. All factors had a content validity greater than 0/33 and a kappa coefficient greater than 0/7, and thus had the necessary validity and reliability. The conceptual model of the research was also drawn in six sections.

Originality/value:

 The public sphere theory is one of the famous theories of sociology. Although the standards in this theory are related to public libraries, it has received less attention in Iran. Public libraries can connect the government and with the nation through the components of the public sphere, and while informing people about government and governance decisions, those decisions can be challenged and decisions can be made in the public profitability. In this case, library is one of the factors responsible for the growth and prosperity of society. It also becomes a factor promoting general welfare in the society and establishing peace and tranquility.