ABSTRACT

Social capital is an important factor that stimulates integration and engagement of local communities. Libraries may contribute to these processes, provided they meet specific conditions. First of all, the librarians need to be outgoing, trusting and eager to help, to make contacts with users easier. A high level of individual social capital and an active and extensive social network (measured by the number of acquaintances) contribute to the development of social capital in library communities. The purpose of the analysis presented in this paper is to show the social activity of library personnel, focusing in particular on the number of acquaintances. A statistical analysis of survey feedback from librarians from 20 countries across the world was conducted in order to determine how extensive the social network of librarians working in different types of libraries and on different positions is and what independent variables influence that network. The number of acquaintances is another indicator, alongside the level of trust, of social capital. The study provided a better insight into the social relations mechanisms that take place in libraries. This is important, because library functions have been evolving in recent years, shifting their focus to social engagement and integration.

摘要

社会资本是促进当地社区融合和参与的重要因素。图书馆可以为这些过程做出贡献，只要它们满足特定条件。首先，图书馆员需要外向、信任和乐于助人，使与用户的联系更容易。高水平的个人社会资本和活跃而广泛的社会网络（以熟人数量衡量）有助于图书馆社区社会资本的发展。本文分析的目的是展示图书馆人员的社会活动，特别关注熟人的数量。对来自全球 20 个国家的图书馆员的调查反馈进行了统计分析，以确定在不同类型图书馆和不同职位上工作的图书馆员的社交网络有多广泛，以及哪些自变量会影响该网络。除了信任水平之外，熟人的数量是社会资本的另一个指标。该研究为图书馆中发生的社会关系机制提供了更好的洞察力。这一点很重要，因为图书馆功能近年来一直在发展，将重点转移到社会参与和整合上。该研究为图书馆中发生的社会关系机制提供了更好的洞察力。这一点很重要，因为图书馆功能近年来一直在发展，将重点转移到社会参与和整合上。该研究为图书馆中发生的社会关系机制提供了更好的洞察力。这一点很重要，因为图书馆功能近年来一直在发展，将重点转移到社会参与和整合上。