Hidden gems? The cultural contribution of independent libraries in the United Kingdom and the United States

Kirsten Loach,Jennifer Rowley,Jillian Griffiths

doi:10.1177/0961000620902252

Kirsten Loach, Jennifer Rowley + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000620902252

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Abstract

Independent libraries are important cultural assets for their communities yet have largely been overlooked in mainstream library research. This research seeks to bring these libraries into the limelight by building a profile of their cultural contributions. Through a content analysis of the websites of the libraries of the Independent Libraries Association (UK) and Membership Libraries Group (US), it demonstrates that independent libraries preserve and facilitate access to a variety of important cultural assets and, while often characterised as ‘hidden gems’, are proactively working to increase engagement beyond traditional audiences, whilst also making significant contributions to the cultural sustainability agenda.

Highlights

Today, the public, policy and research focus in both the UK and the US is on state-funded libraries, such as academic and public libraries and the challenges that they face in a digital age (Cox et al, 2019; Godin, 2016; Jones, 2017; Seal, 2014)
Some attention is given to special libraries and other information services that operate in commercial, school and medical settings, but almost no attention is given to the precursors of the public library movement, non-profit membership or independent libraries
Since there is no comprehensive list of such organisations, this article uses the membership lists of two important groups of independent libraries, the Independent Libraries Association (ILA) (UK) and the Membership Libraries Association (MLA) (US)

Summary

Introduction

The public, policy and research focus in both the UK and the US is on state-funded libraries, such as academic and public libraries and the challenges that they face in a digital age (Cox et al, 2019; Godin, 2016; Jones, 2017; Seal, 2014). Some attention is given to special libraries and other information services that operate in commercial, school and medical settings, but almost no attention is given to the precursors of the public library movement, non-profit membership or independent libraries. Many of these libraries still exist, maintaining important collections, offering services to both members and the general public, and making important cultural and social contributions to their communities. In these times of austerity for public libraries, there may be a resurgence of the independent library model. Founded by ‘local dynamo’ David Brewster, Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum would be an independent library and cultural centre, providing fee-paying members with access to a large collection of books, a comfortable and quiet space to read and work, and a programme of literary events, all within the setting of an attractive historic building (Gwinn, 2015)

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