The Activities of Public Libraries in the Economic Development of Society: A Systematic Review

Haseli, Davoud, Safavi, Zeinab and Parsa, Farzaneh The Activities of Public Libraries in the Economic Development of Society: A Systematic Review. Research on Information Science and Public Libraries, 2023, vol. 29, n. 2, pp. 181-162. [Journal article (Paginated)]

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English abstract

Purpose: Public libraries have historically played a role in supporting economic development, entrepreneurship, smallbusinesses, and providing commercial information to various stakeholders. This study aims to identify the types of services, programs and economic activities that public libraries offer in this domain, based on a review of the relevant literature.Method: The present research is a systematic literature review, and the systematic study framework of Kitchenhamand Charters was used to carry out it. By identifying the databases and query terms, searches were conducted and finally,by refining the sources and applying the entry and exit criteria to the research, 37 sources in English and 6 sources in Farsiwere entered into the systematic review. The research tool was a checklist type. The information obtained by summarizingthe contents is presented in the form of a table.Findings: The activities of public libraries for economic development were grouped into four components: information, education, social, and space and equipment. The information component consists of two dimensions: resources anddatabases, and reference services. The resources and databases dimension involves assessing resource needs, providingeconomic information services, developing economic collections, collecting job resources, resume writing and job interview skills, marketing economic collections, creating job databases, providing access to commercial law databases, andcreating and maintaining economic websites. The reference services dimension offers services such as general and specialized reference and consultation, business and research reference, document delivery, remote business question answering,job search assistance, subject guides and search assistance. The education component includes developing financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills, specific skills for jobs and businesses, digital and technology literacy, skills for studentsand low-educated adults, business information literacy training, economic and business consultations, and coach training.The social component includes services such as community socio-economic development, creating social partnerships,networking, holding business events, organizational cooperation, and meetings with consultants. The space and equipmentcomponent includes creating innovation buildings and spaces, preparing physical spaces, creating reference spaces, independent commercial libraries, and developing equipment.Originality/value: This review examines the diverse services, programs, and activities that public libraries offer tosupport community economic development. The findings reveal that public libraries are developing a new function, calledeconomic function, that encompasses various roles and dimensions, such as information, education, social issues, andspace and equipment development. To address the economic challenges of the society, public libraries design and delivervarious programs and services for businesses, business owners, entrepreneurs and even general users. This study enhancesthe existing knowledge about the economic impact of public libraries and proposes directions for future public libraryaction.

Persian abstract

Item type: Journal article (Paginated)
Keywords: economic functions,businesses,local economy,Public Libraries,Systematic review
Subjects: D. Libraries as physical collections. > DC. Public libraries.
Depositing user: rispl journal Journal
Date deposited: 30 Jan 2026 17:37
Last modified: 30 Jan 2026 17:37
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/47460

References

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13. Alimohammadzade, KH., Mohebi, S., & Labbaf, T. (2013). Systematic Review of Research Papers in the Recent Three Decades on the "Reasons of Cesarean Section" and Population Health Management Strategies in Iran. Womenʼs Strategic Studies, 16(61), 7-57. (in Persian)

14. Ashley, B., & Niblett, V. (2014). Researching the economic contribution of public libraries. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 9(4), 86-91.

15. Ataei Zaher, S., Tajafari, M., Sanatjoo, A., & Sharif, A. (2021). Feasibility Study of Providing Effective Services on Economic Development in Mashhad Public Libraries. Library and Information Sciences, 24(2), 59-84. (in Persian)

16. Bahraminia, S., Ziaei, S., & Moradi, M. (2023). Identifying the role of public libraries in the economic development of society from the viewpoint of experts. Research on Information Science and Public Libraries, 29(1), 12-32. (in Persian)

17. Bishop, B. W., Mehra, B., & Partee, R. P. (2016). The role of rural public libraries in small business development. Public Library Quarterly, 35(1), 37-48.

18. Biswas, S., & Mahato, A. (2020). The Role of Public Libraries in Local Economic Development in West Bengal. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 3744.

19. Bouthillier, France (2004). "The provision of business information services in public libraries: A review of trends and issues in six selected countries." In Proceedings of the Annual Conference of CAIS/Actes du congrès annuel de l'ACSI.

20. Cohen, M., & McDonough, K. (2007). Information start-ups need to succeed: Small business development at New York Public Libraryʼs Science, Industry and Business Library. Business Information Review, 24(3), 193-203.

21. Considine, G. (2005). Response from a dying breed? Public libraries and the Business Information Resources Survey 2005. Business Information Review, 22(2), 85-89.

22. Day, A. (2002). Public business libraries: The next chapter. Business Information Review, 19(2), 14-20.

23. Eghbali, A., & Noruzi, A. (2022a). Analyzing the Role of Public Libraries Services in the Development of the Local Economy: Case Study of Kermanshah Province. Research on Information Science and Public Libraries, 28(1), 76-93. (in Persian)

24. Eghbali, A., & Noruzi, A. (2022b). Public Libraries and Local Economy. Tehran: Chapar. (in Persian)

25. Farshid, R., Jafari, S., & Kalhori, K. (2021). Assessing the organizational entrepreneurship behavior of public librarians: A case study of public libraries in Khuzestan Province. Popularization of Science, 11(2), 164-186. (in Persian)

26. Faulkner, A. E. (2018). Entrepreneurship resources in US public libraries: Website analysis. Reference Services Review, 46(1), 69-90.

27. Faulkner, A. E. (2022). Financial literacy resources in US public libraries: website analysis. Reference Services Review, 50(3/4), 377-391.

28. Fraser, B. T., Nelson, T. W., & McClure, C. R. (2002). Describing the economic impacts and benefits of Florida public libraries: Findings and methodological applications for future work. Library & Information Science Research, 24(3), 211-233.

29. Ghanadinezhad, F. (2022). Entrepreneurship in public libraries: A review of studies using the meta-synthesis method. Library and Information Science Research, 12(1), 100-120. (in Persian)

30. Gichohi, P. M., Onyancha, O. B., & Dulle, F. W. (2017). How public libraries in Meru County, Kenya, address the business information needs of small-scale enterprises. Information Development, 33(4), 418-435.

31. Gichohi, P. M., Onyancha, O. B., & Dulle, F. W. (2018). A model for public Libraries' support in the development of small-scale business enterprises in Meru County, Kenya. Public Library Quarterly, 37(1), 81-102.

32. Hancks, J. W. (2012). Rural public librariesʼ role in community economic development. Public Library Quarterly, 31(3), 220-236.

33. Hoppenfeld, J., & Malafi, E. (2015). Engaging with entrepreneurs in academic and public libraries. Reference Services Review, 43(3), 379-399.

34. Hughes, C., & Boss, S. (2021). How rural public libraries support local economic development in the mountain plains. Public Library Quarterly, 40(3), 258-281.

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37. Karuza, I., Krajnovic, A., & Volic, I. M. (2017). The public library strategic orientation in tourist destination: managing the complexity of community and tourism orientation. In The 2017 WEI International Academic Conference Proceedings (pp. 7-14).

38. Kazemi, R., & Seifi, L. (2019). Role of public and academic libraries in promoting and dissemination of entrepreneurship services: Systematic review. Librarianship and Information Organization Studies, 30(2), 39-57. (in Persian)

39. Kirkwood, H., & Evans, K. (2012). Embedded librarianship and virtual environments in entrepreneurship information literacy: A case study. Journal of Business & Finance Librarianship, 17(1), 106-116.

40. Kiszl, P. (2022). The financial literacy competency map of librarians. In EDULEARN22 Proceedings (pp. 6209-6218). IATED.

41. Kitchenham, B., & Charters, S. (2007). Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering.

42. Kosciejew, M. (2020). Public libraries and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. IFLA Journal, 46(4), 328-346.

43. Kostagiolas, P., Margiola, A., & Avramidou, A. (2011). A library management response model against the economic crisis: The case of public libraries in Greece. Library Review. 60(6), 486-500.

44. Liu, L. G. (2004). The contribution of public libraries to countries' economic productivity: A path analysis, Library Review, 53(9), 435-441.

45. Macdonald, A. T. (2015). Dedicated business centers in public libraries. Reference Services Review, 43(3), 344-368.

46. Mehra, B., Bishop, B. W., & Partee II, R. P. (2016). Information Science Professionals as Community Action Researchers to Further the Role of Rural Public Libraries in Small Business Economic Development: A Case Study of Tennessee. Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science, 40(4), 289-299.

47. Mehra, B., Bishop, B. W., & Partee II, R. P. (2017). How do public libraries assist small businesses in rural communities? An exploratory qualitative study in Tennessee. Libri, 67(4), 245-260.

48. Michele Moorefield-Lang, H. (2014). Makers in the library: case studies of 3D printers and maker spaces in library settings. Library Hi Tech, 32(4), 583-593.

49. Noh, Y. (2020). A study of the evaluation of a library's economic value based on the users' and librarians' perceptions. The Electronic Library, 38(3), 561-596.

50. Nourouzi, Y., & Kamali, K. (2007). The Role of Libraries in Knowledge Society. Iranian Journal of Information Processing and Management. 23(1), 107-124. (in Persian)

51. Owolabi, K. A., Ugbala, C. P., Adeleke, A. O., Ovwas, D. E., & Akinbode, R. O. (2023). Demographic Variables and Utilization of Public Library among Entrepreneurs in Nigeria. International Information & Library Review, 55(1), 44-55.

52. Pryor, C. (2014). Mind your business: Reaching the small business owner and entrepreneur through community partnership and programming. Journal of Library Administration, 54(3), 187-196.

53. Restivo, L. (2014). Why startups need libraries (and librarians). The Serials Librarian, 67(1), 31-37.

54. Sigler, K., Jaeger, P. T., Bertot, J. C., McDermott, A. J., DeCoster, E. J., & Langa, L. A. (2011). The role of public libraries, the internet, and economic uncertainty. In Librarianship in times of crisis (Vol. 34, pp. 19-35). Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

55. Soroya, M. S., Munir, M. A., & Soroya, S. H. (2014). Role of public libraries in economic development of Pakistan: A future vision. Pakistan Library & Information Science Journal, 45(1), 3-8.

56. Stiles, T. J. (2010). Rescuing the stacks. https://observer.com/2010/06/rescuing-the-stacks/

57. Stonebraker, I., Howard, H. A., Collier, J., & Raza, S. (2018). The future of innovation: How libraries support entrepreneurs. Paper 211. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/lib_fsdocs/211

58. Sukula, S. K., & Siddiqui, J. A. (2014). Emergence and relevance of entrepreneurship in libraries: Glimpses into current practices. Indian Journal of Library and Information Science, 8(2), 163.‌

59. Tamura, S., Miwa, M., Saito, Y., Koshizuka, M., Kasai, Y., Matsubayashi, M., & Ikeya, N. (2007). Information sharing between different groups: A qualitative study of information service to business in Japanese public libraries. Information Research, 12(2), 12-2.

60. Tully, T. (2019). BKLYN fashion academy: a case study of a public library program supporting fashion entrepreneurs. Journal of Business & Finance Librarianship, 24(1-2), 30-53.

61. Ugbala, C. P., Owolabi, K. A., Adesina, A. O., & Ajayi, T. B. (2021). Public Library as a Source of Business Information for Small-Scale Business Enterprises in Nigeria. Public Library Quarterly, 40(5), 454-467.

62. Vassilakaki, E. (2015). Greek public libraries in economic crisis: the past, the present and the future. The Bottom Line, 28(1/2), 77-79.

63. Zhou, Y., & Ma, X. (2018, September). How today's libraries can help to address information gaps for small-and medium-sized enterprises: Li Ka shing library as an example? In 2018 International Symposium on Humanities and Social Sciences, Management and Education Engineering (HSSMEE 2018) (pp. 92-99). Atlantis Press.

64. Akbari, A. (2022). A Feasibility Study of Creative Economics in Public Libraries: Using Grounded Theory Method. Research on Information Science and Public Libraries, 27(4), 581-610. (in Persian)

65. Alimohammadzade, KH., Mohebi, S., & Labbaf, T. (2013). Systematic Review of Research Papers in the Recent Three Decades on the “Reasons of Cesarean Section” and Population Health Management Strategies in Iran. Womenʼs Strategic Studies, 16(61), 7-57. (in Persian)

66. Ashley, B., & Niblett, V. (2014). Researching the economic contribution of public libraries. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 9(4), 86-91.

67. Ataei Zaher, S., Tajafari, M., Sanatjoo, A., & Sharif, A. (2021). Feasibility Study of Providing Effective Services on Economic Development in Mashhad Public Libraries. Library and Information Sciences, 24(2), 59-84. (in Persian)

68. Bahraminia, S., Ziaei, S., & Moradi, M. (2023). Identifying the role of public libraries in the economic development of society from the viewpoint of experts. Research on Information Science and Public Libraries, 29(1), 12-32. (in Persian)

69. Bishop, B. W., Mehra, B., & Partee, R. P. (2016). The role of rural public libraries in small business development. Public Library Quarterly, 35(1), 37-48.

70. Biswas, S., & Mahato, A. (2020). The Role of Public Libraries in Local Economic Development in West Bengal. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 3744.

71. Bouthillier, France (2004). "The provision of business information services in public libraries: A review of trends and issues in six selected countries." In Proceedings of the Annual Conference of CAIS/Actes du congrès annuel de l'ACSI.

72. Cohen, M., & McDonough, K. (2007). Information start-ups need to succeed: Small business development at New York Public Libraryʼs Science, Industry and Business Library. Business Information Review, 24(3), 193-203.

73. Considine, G. (2005). Response from a dying breed? Public libraries and the Business Information Resources Survey 2005. Business Information Review, 22(2), 85-89.

74. Day, A. (2002). Public business libraries: The next chapter. Business Information Review, 19(2), 14-20.

75. Eghbali, A., & Noruzi, A. (2022a). Analyzing the Role of Public Libraries Services in the Development of the Local Economy: Case Study of Kermanshah Province. Research on Information Science and Public Libraries, 28(1), 76-93. (in Persian)

76. Eghbali, A., & Noruzi, A. (2022b). Public Libraries and Local Economy. Tehran: Chapar. (in Persian)

77. Farshid, R., Jafari, S., & Kalhori, K. (2021). Assessing the organizational entrepreneurship behavior of public librarians: A case study of public libraries in Khuzestan Province. Popularization of Science, 11(2), 164-186. (in Persian)

78. Faulkner, A. E. (2018). Entrepreneurship resources in US public libraries: Website analysis. Reference Services Review, 46(1), 69-90.

79. Faulkner, A. E. (2022). Financial literacy resources in US public libraries: website analysis. Reference Services Review, 50(3/4), 377-391.

80. Fraser, B. T., Nelson, T. W., & McClure, C. R. (2002). Describing the economic impacts and benefits of Florida public libraries: Findings and methodological applications for future work. Library & Information Science Research, 24(3), 211-233.

81. Ghanadinezhad, F. (2022). Entrepreneurship in public libraries: A review of studies using the meta-synthesis method. Library and Information Science Research, 12(1), 100-120. (in Persian)

82. Gichohi, P. M., Onyancha, O. B., & Dulle, F. W. (2017). How public libraries in Meru County, Kenya, address the business information needs of small-scale enterprises. Information Development, 33(4), 418-435.

83. Gichohi, P. M., Onyancha, O. B., & Dulle, F. W. (2018). A model for public Libraries’ support in the development of small-scale business enterprises in Meru County, Kenya. Public Library Quarterly, 37(1), 81-102.

84. Hancks, J. W. (2012). Rural public librariesʼ role in community economic development. Public Library Quarterly, 31(3), 220-236.

85. Hoppenfeld, J., & Malafi, E. (2015). Engaging with entrepreneurs in academic and public libraries. Reference Services Review, 43(3), 379-399.

86. Hughes, C., & Boss, S. (2021). How rural public libraries support local economic development in the mountain plains. Public Library Quarterly, 40(3), 258-281.

87. Hyde, M. (1989). Business information in public libraries: An overview. Business Information Review, 6(2), 22-29.‌

88. Kaane, S. (2006, August). Marketing reference and information services in libraries: A staff competencies framework. In 72 nd Ifla General Conference and Council (Vol. 20, p. 24).

89. Karuza, I., Krajnovic, A., & Volic, I. M. (2017). The public library strategic orientation in tourist destination: managing the complexity of community and tourism orientation. In The 2017 WEI International Academic Conference Proceedings (pp. 7-14).

90. Kazemi, R., & Seifi, L. (2019). Role of public and academic libraries in promoting and dissemination of entrepreneurship services: Systematic review. Librarianship and Information Organization Studies, 30(2), 39-57. (in Persian)

91. Kirkwood, H., & Evans, K. (2012). Embedded librarianship and virtual environments in entrepreneurship information literacy: A case study. Journal of Business & Finance Librarianship, 17(1), 106-116.

92. Kiszl, P. (2022). The financial literacy competency map of librarians. In EDULEARN22 Proceedings (pp. 6209-6218). IATED.

93. Kitchenham, B., & Charters, S. (2007). Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering.

94. Kosciejew, M. (2020). Public libraries and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. IFLA Journal, 46(4), 328-346.

95. Kostagiolas, P., Margiola, A., & Avramidou, A. (2011). A library management response model against the economic crisis: The case of public libraries in Greece. Library Review. 60(6), 486-500.

96. Liu, L. G. (2004). The contribution of public libraries to countries' economic productivity: A path analysis, Library Review, 53(9), 435-441.

97. Macdonald, A. T. (2015). Dedicated business centers in public libraries. Reference Services Review, 43(3), 344-368.

98. Mehra, B., Bishop, B. W., & Partee II, R. P. (2016). Information Science Professionals as Community Action Researchers to Further the Role of Rural Public Libraries in Small Business Economic Development: A Case Study of Tennessee. Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science, 40(4), 289-299.

99. Mehra, B., Bishop, B. W., & Partee II, R. P. (2017). How do public libraries assist small businesses in rural communities? An exploratory qualitative study in Tennessee. Libri, 67(4), 245-260.

100. Michele Moorefield-Lang, H. (2014). Makers in the library: case studies of 3D printers and maker spaces in library settings. Library Hi Tech, 32(4), 583-593.

101. Noh, Y. (2020). A study of the evaluation of a library’s economic value based on the users’ and librarians’ perceptions. The Electronic Library, 38(3), 561-596.

102. Nourouzi, Y., & Kamali, K. (2007). The Role of Libraries in Knowledge Society. Iranian Journal of Information Processing and Management. 23(1), 107-124. (in Persian)

103. Owolabi, K. A., Ugbala, C. P., Adeleke, A. O., Ovwas, D. E., & Akinbode, R. O. (2023). Demographic Variables and Utilization of Public Library among Entrepreneurs in Nigeria. International Information & Library Review, 55(1), 44-55.

104. Pryor, C. (2014). Mind your business: Reaching the small business owner and entrepreneur through community partnership and programming. Journal of Library Administration, 54(3), 187-196.

105. Restivo, L. (2014). Why startups need libraries (and librarians). The Serials Librarian, 67(1), 31-37.

106. Sigler, K., Jaeger, P. T., Bertot, J. C., McDermott, A. J., DeCoster, E. J., & Langa, L. A. (2011). The role of public libraries, the internet, and economic uncertainty. In Librarianship in times of crisis (Vol. 34, pp. 19-35). Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

107. Soroya, M. S., Munir, M. A., & Soroya, S. H. (2014). Role of public libraries in economic development of Pakistan: A future vision. Pakistan Library & Information Science Journal, 45(1), 3-8.

108. Stiles, T. J. (2010). Rescuing the stacks. https://observer.com/2010/06/rescuing-the-stacks/

109. Stonebraker, I., Howard, H. A., Collier, J., & Raza, S. (2018). The future of innovation: How libraries support entrepreneurs. Paper 211. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/lib_fsdocs/211

110. Sukula, S. K., & Siddiqui, J. A. (2014). Emergence and relevance of entrepreneurship in libraries: Glimpses into current practices. Indian Journal of Library and Information Science, 8(2), 163.‌

111. Tamura, S., Miwa, M., Saito, Y., Koshizuka, M., Kasai, Y., Matsubayashi, M., & Ikeya, N. (2007). Information sharing between different groups: A qualitative study of information service to business in Japanese public libraries. Information Research, 12(2), 12-2.

112. Tully, T. (2019). BKLYN fashion academy: a case study of a public library program supporting fashion entrepreneurs. Journal of Business & Finance Librarianship, 24(1-2), 30-53.

113. Ugbala, C. P., Owolabi, K. A., Adesina, A. O., & Ajayi, T. B. (2021). Public Library as a Source of Business Information for Small-Scale Business Enterprises in Nigeria. Public Library Quarterly, 40(5), 454-467.

114. Vassilakaki, E. (2015). Greek public libraries in economic crisis: the past, the present and the future. The Bottom Line, 28(1/2), 77-79.

115. Zhou, Y., & Ma, X. (2018, September). How today’s libraries can help to address information gaps for small-and medium-sized enterprises: Li Ka shing library as an example? In 2018 International Symposium on Humanities and Social Sciences, Management and Education Engineering (HSSMEE 2018) (pp. 92-99). Atlantis Press.


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