Social network analysis: A methodological approach for understanding public libraries and their communities

Social network analysis (SNA) as theoretical framework and quantitatively oriented methodology offers public libraries and public library researchers an as-yet-unexplored way into their big data stories based on these library connections with their community. SNA offers library and information scien...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Library & information science research 2020-07, Vol.42 (3), p.101029, Article 101029
Main Authors: Hicks, Deborah, Cavanagh, Mary F., VanScoy, Amy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic libraries
Big Data
Librarians
Library and information science
Public libraries
Social network analysis
Social networks
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Summary:Social network analysis (SNA) as theoretical framework and quantitatively oriented methodology offers public libraries and public library researchers an as-yet-unexplored way into their big data stories based on these library connections with their community. SNA offers library and information science researchers a methodology, and suggests a new research agenda, to better envision the relationships public libraries have with their communities both in-person and online by exploring the kinds of ties they have, how these ties lead to relationships, and how these relationships can be characterized. The quantitative orientation of SNA combined with its methods of data analysis in the forms of networks and hubs could give libraries the “hard” data they are so often in need of to demonstrate their value to their political leaders, and could uncover new directions in library use and library relationships. •Social network analysis (SNA) can be used to study the contemporary public library and its network relations.•Public library research and practice could benefit from a social network analysis approach.•A brief review of SNA origins, key concepts, and a selective literature review in LIS is offered. .
ISSN:0740-8188
1873-1848
DOI:10.1016/j.lisr.2020.101029