When a Small Market Newspaper Closes

Abstract

Newspapers once were required reading for individuals who wished to gain new information about the world around them. Information behaviour scholars linked newspaper reading to passive acts of acquiring and acclimating new information that later helped individuals expand their perspective, solve problems, and feel a sense of connection with their community. However, shifting information consumption habits, digital communication technology, and the steady growth of capitalistic news conglomerates have led to thousands of newspapers closing since the dawn of the 21st century. Many small and rural communities have lost their only news outlet. Research on the closures of newspapers has raised concerns about the political and social implications. At the same time, newspapers have been accused of legitimizing power structures and social hierarchy, and some see their demise as an opportunity to create new information structures that better reflect their communities. Libraries may be able to play a role in filling the information void that is created when a newspaper closes in a small community. Still, there is a need for broader research to understand the wider implications of newspaper closures and the role libraries can play in the wake of their closures.