Public libraries and social class

Pateman, John . Public libraries and social class., 2000 In: Open to All? : the Public Library and Social Exclusion. London: Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, pp. 26-42. [Book chapter]

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English abstract

The paper argues that there is an intrinsic link between social exclusion and social class, that social exclusion is endemic to capitalism, and that the class system pervades every aspect of society, including library usage. After reviewing different models of social stratification, the paper identifies three main classes, the capitalist class, the middle class and the working class. The focus is on the latter groups. It is argued that, because capitalism is the root cause of social exclusion and class, social exclusion policies, such as promoting employment, ignore the causes of poverty and inequalities. This means that ‘solutions’ are short-term and ineffective. It is further argued that libraries themselves are a means of social control and are therefore alien to working class life and rejected by working class people. The paper then examines the literature to support this hypothesis. The paper concludes by identifying various barriers to action being taken, and makes recommendations for plans to overcome these barriers (April, 1999).

Item type: Book chapter
Keywords: class inequalities, public libraries, social class, social exclusion, social inequalities, United Kingdom, working class
Subjects: B. Information use and sociology of information > BC. Information in society.
B. Information use and sociology of information > BF. Information policy
D. Libraries as physical collections. > DC. Public libraries.
Depositing user: Zapopan Martín Muela-Meza
Date deposited: 06 May 2005
Last modified: 02 Oct 2014 12:01
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/6284

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