Rural Public Libraries' Role in Community Economic Development

Abstract

Rural public libraries have tremendous potential to play an active role in community economic development. Libraries are a natural choice for facilitating economic development activities in rural communities short of resources commonly available in more heavily populated areas. This article is based on semistructured interviews with librarians and community development officials in five rural communities. The results of the investigation indicate that those libraries had success in community economic development. Additionally, the study suggests that rural public libraries may become critical community economic development resources if rural librarians cultivate stronger, more integral relationships with community developers and other community agencies.