Leisure role of public libraries

This is the second of two articles examining the leisure role of public libraries. The first article examined the leisure role of public libraries in the UK from a historical perspective. This examines the value of the public library service in providing leisure opportunities from a user point of view. The results demonstrate that public libraries have a significant impact on people’s leisure time. Benefits include providing relaxation, improving health and well-being, opening up choices and opportunities despite financial constraints, alleviating boredom and allowing people to socialize. Public libraries are, therefore, providing a worthwhile and necessary function through their leisure role.