Socio-economic-cultural aspects and mass information need The case of public library uses in Bangladesh

Purpose - To evaluate the magnitude of public library uses and resulting values among the general people with associated socio-economic-cultural features of Bangladesh and thus to indicate strategies for better library impact in societal, cultural and economic development. Design/methodology/approach - Primary data were collected from the users of four public libraries in the cities of Dhaka and Rajshahi considering rich library profiles and wide variety of users. Interviews were conducted based on a structured questionnaire by visiting the sample libraries that also result in studying the users and libraries closely. Findings - Some factors like age, income, education, and gender are very important in using public library in relation to particular socio-economic features of Bangladesh. Though the study reveals dissatisfaction in library resources, it shows a strong library impact on recreation and culture, self-learning, social welfare, and on economic development of the country. The findings lead some recommendations for improved utilization of library. Research implications/limitations - The paper provides focus on studying the demographic variables of users to measure public library values and benefits in the areas of learning, recreation, culture, social welfare, and development. Practical implications - Concerned authorities should come forward to minimize the funding and administrative barriers to make public library exclusively worthy to all with quality access. Originality/value - Studying social factors are unavoidable to understand the magnitude of social inclusiveness of libraries and their strength of impact, and importantly, to ascertain the ways of comprehensive access to libraries by acquiring indication of realistic policy implementation from empirical evidence.