Methodological Frameworks for Developing a Model of the Public Sphere in Public Libraries

Introduction. This paper identifies research gaps in the literature related to the public sphere and public libraries. The paper then proposes methodological frameworks and data collection techniques to extend research in this area.\ud \ud Method. A review of the literature related to the public sphere and public libraries is conducted to identify research gaps and develop promising research approaches.\ud \ud Analysis. Previous literature is analyzed according to epistemological and ontological approaches.\ud \ud Results. Existing literature related to the public sphere and public libraries exhibits epistemological and ontological shortcomings. Empirical studies are relatively few and existing studies remain tied to a limited public sphere concept.\ud \ud Conclusion. Two new methodological frameworks are proposed to guide future work in this area. One framework is the circulation of power model; the other framework is a custom-built model with multiple axes and dimensions.\u