Designing a conceptual model of public libraries as community centers, based on the public sphere theory of Jürgen Habermas

Objective: The aim of this study is to achieve a conceptual model for the transformation of Iranian public libraries into social centers, based on the theory of the public sphere of Jürgen Habermas. Methodology: Research in terms of purpose, applied; In terms of how data is collected, survey; And in terms of the nature of the data, it is a mixed exploratory type of research conducted with a systematic approach to grounded theory. In the qualitative section, first, by conducting 33 interviews and 2 focus groups, effective factors were identified and extracted. The validity of these factors was proved through the content validity ratio (CVR) and their reliability was also proved by the Fleiss' kappa coefficient test. In the quantitative part, the reliability of the tool was confirmed using a 117-item questionnaire with an average of 0.86. Finally, with the Shannon entropy method, the factors were ranked. Findings: Seven factors of human resources, construction and equipment, social, political, structural, cultural and economic have an effect on the transformation of public libraries into social centers, which has the most cultural factor and the least economic factor. All factors had a kappa coefficient greater than 0.33, after having the necessary validity. The conceptual model of the research was also drawn in six sections. Conclusion: The public sphere theory is one of the famous theories of sociology. Although the standards in this theory are related to public libraries, it has received less attention in Iran. Public libraries can relation between the government and the nation through the components of the public sphere, and while informing people about government and governance decisions, those decisions can be challenged and decisions can be made in the public profitability. In this case, the library causes the growth and prosperity of the society. It also becomes a factor for promoting general welfare in the society and establishing peace and tranquility.