Library time: in pursuit of liberatory leisure
Introduction. Our contemporary perception and experience of free time and leisure has been deleteriously degraded by the work-leisure binary. However, the public library’s leisure mode affords a distinct experience of time to its public that has the potential to exist outside the binary, and with t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Borås
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Information Research: An International Electronic Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://publicera.kb.se/ir/article/view/52345 |
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| _version_ | 1849326856932687872 |
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| author | Jeremy Keen Abbott |
| author_facet | Jeremy Keen Abbott |
| author_sort | Jeremy Keen Abbott |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Introduction. Our contemporary perception and experience of free time and leisure has been deleteriously degraded by the work-leisure binary. However, the public library’s leisure mode affords a distinct experience of time to its public that has the potential to exist outside the binary, and with that potential, the opportunity to imagine larger possibilities as well.
Method. This paper is exploratory, applying a syncretic, interdisciplinary approach to applying theories of work and leisure to critical librarianship.
Analysis. I fill a research gap by analysing the public library as a leisure space, applying the paradigms of Robert Stebbins, Julie Rose and Tricia Hersey among others.
Results. Public libraries are unique leisure spaces with the potential to offer patrons experiences of leisure beyond the dominant leisure-work binary: library time.
Conclusions. While public libraries are ripe with liberatory potential, attention must be paid to extant barriers to access for all members of the public, particularly those experiencing homelessness, who arguably have the greatest need for and least ability to realise leisure.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a5879d7785e24ed49d170d09f03705a4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1368-1613 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | University of Borås |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Information Research: An International Electronic Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-a5879d7785e24ed49d170d09f03705a42025-08-20T03:48:02ZengUniversity of BoråsInformation Research: An International Electronic Journal1368-16132025-05-0130CoLIS10.47989/ir30CoLIS52345Library time: in pursuit of liberatory leisureJeremy Keen Abbott0University of California, Los Angeles Introduction. Our contemporary perception and experience of free time and leisure has been deleteriously degraded by the work-leisure binary. However, the public library’s leisure mode affords a distinct experience of time to its public that has the potential to exist outside the binary, and with that potential, the opportunity to imagine larger possibilities as well. Method. This paper is exploratory, applying a syncretic, interdisciplinary approach to applying theories of work and leisure to critical librarianship. Analysis. I fill a research gap by analysing the public library as a leisure space, applying the paradigms of Robert Stebbins, Julie Rose and Tricia Hersey among others. Results. Public libraries are unique leisure spaces with the potential to offer patrons experiences of leisure beyond the dominant leisure-work binary: library time. Conclusions. While public libraries are ripe with liberatory potential, attention must be paid to extant barriers to access for all members of the public, particularly those experiencing homelessness, who arguably have the greatest need for and least ability to realise leisure. https://publicera.kb.se/ir/article/view/52345Critical librarianshipLibrary studiesThe social values of reading and literatureLeisureRecreationLibrary History |
| spellingShingle | Jeremy Keen Abbott Library time: in pursuit of liberatory leisure Information Research: An International Electronic Journal Critical librarianship Library studies The social values of reading and literature Leisure Recreation Library History |
| title | Library time: in pursuit of liberatory leisure |
| title_full | Library time: in pursuit of liberatory leisure |
| title_fullStr | Library time: in pursuit of liberatory leisure |
| title_full_unstemmed | Library time: in pursuit of liberatory leisure |
| title_short | Library time: in pursuit of liberatory leisure |
| title_sort | library time in pursuit of liberatory leisure |
| topic | Critical librarianship Library studies The social values of reading and literature Leisure Recreation Library History |
| url | https://publicera.kb.se/ir/article/view/52345 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jeremykeenabbott librarytimeinpursuitofliberatoryleisure |