Turning Public Libraries into Collaborative Spaces: The Role of Multimodal Imaginaries

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Abstract

Drawing on a study of Danish public libraries, we examine the transformation of the institution of the public library from a knowledge space for information access and learning to a collaborative space for civil creativity and innovation. We identify three imaginaries that enabled this transformation: city, community, and creation. Each imaginary conveyed meaning multimodally, that is, through verbal, visual, and material modes of communication. We propose that multimodal imaginaries are effective for transforming pre-existing spaces, even institutionalized ones, into collaborative spaces.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCollaborative Spaces at Work : Innovation, Creativity and Relations
EditorsFabrizio Montanari, Elisa Mattarelli, Anna Chiara Scapolan
Number of pages20
Place of PublicationAbingdon
PublisherRoutledge
Publication date2021
Pages197-216
Chapter12
ISBN (Print)9780367350451
ISBN (Electronic)9780429329425
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
SeriesRoutledge Advances in Management and Business Studies

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