A cultural divide has been demonstrated in the United Kingdom, with disadvantaged individuals and communities known to be least likely to participate in cultural activities. Recognizing that low levels of cultural capital can present multiple barriers to cultural participation and that public libraries have an important cultural role in supporting and promoting learning and development, this article examines issues of cultural divide through the theoretical lens of cultural capital. Through analysis of examples of public library good practice in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States, this article addresses an understudied topic and advances our understanding of the sociocultural role of public libraries in stimulating cultural consumption, participation, and engagement in disadvantaged communities. The article also calls for further empirical research to support and operationalize cultural capital concepts in library practices.

中文翻译：

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公共图书馆作为弱势社区的文化中心：发展和培养文化能力和联系

英国已表现出文化鸿沟，据称处境不利的个人和社区参加文化活动的可能性最小。认识到文化资本水平低会给文化参与带来多重障碍，并且公共图书馆在支持和促进学习与发展方面起着重要的文化作用，本文通过文化资本的理论视角来考察文化鸿沟问题。通过分析英国，欧洲和美国的公共图书馆良好实践的例子，本文讨论了一个未被充分研究的话题，并加深了我们对公共图书馆在刺激弱势社区的文化消费，参与和参与中的社会文化作用的理解。 。