Number of Acquaintances vs Individual Social Capital of Librarians

ABSTRACT Social capital is an important factor that stimulates integration and engagement of local communities. Libraries may contribute to these processes, provided they meet specific conditions. First of all, the librarians need to be outgoing, trusting and eager to help, to make contacts with users easier. A high level of individual social capital and an active and extensive social network (measured by the number of acquaintances) contribute to the development of social capital in library communities. The purpose of the analysis presented in this paper is to show the social activity of library personnel, focusing in particular on the number of acquaintances. A statistical analysis of survey feedback from librarians from 20 countries across the world was conducted in order to determine how extensive the social network of librarians working in different types of libraries and on different positions is and what independent variables influence that network. The number of acquaintances is another indicator, alongside the level of trust, of social capital. The study provided a better insight into the social relations mechanisms that take place in libraries. This is important, because library functions have been evolving in recent years, shifting their focus to social engagement and integration.