Abstract

This study conducted a survey research in order to prove the influence of public libraries on the creation of social capital. The analysis showed that the use of public libraries is generally focusing on information activities on a personal level and it is not extended to establish social relationships or form social trust between people on social level. If the personal information activities in public libraries are expanded to share information and opinions with other people, however, it can establish social relationships across people mediated by public libraries. It also has the possibilities to induce library users to participate reciprocal activities on social level. As a result, the information activities in public libraries on personal level can be extended to social levels mediated by public libraries, which can affect the creation of social capital. Based on these results, public libraries need to consider the social responsibilities on creating social capital as well as supporting information activities of members of society.