Work

Public Libraries as Third Places: Computer Usage Patterns of a German Public Library System

Year: 2026

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Public access computers have become a standard part of public library service provision. While extensive qualitative and survey studies have examined how library visitors (patrons) use these computers, very little is known about how this is reflected in the actual public library computer access logs. We analysed general usage and internet access patterns for all 17 computers of German city ANONCITY’s library system, for which we also had survey data from the European Sentobib study. These logs included internet access, printing, app use, and file up- or downloads. We found that the key value proposition of public library computers was to offer access to technology in the comfort of a home away from home and discuss the implications for designing public library technology spaces.

Source: Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA)

DOI: 10.1145/3772363.3799100

Authors: Maria K Wolters, Mathilde Linnenberg, Dennis Lindt

Institutions: Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Oldenburger Institut für Informatik, University of Edinburgh

Language: English

Topic: Library Science and Administration

Subfield: Library and Information Sciences

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur

OpenAlex ID: W7153852004

FWCI:

Cites: 21

Cited by:

Related to: