Gong, HongmianCopeland, Andrea J.Chen, Cynthia2010-10-192010-10-192008Gong, Hongmian, Andrea C. Japzon, and Cynthia Chen. "Public libraries and social capital in three New York City neighbourhoods." Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, 99, no. 1 (2008): 65-83.Gong, Hongmian, Andrea C. Japzon, and Cynthia Chen. "Public libraries and social capital in three New York City neighbourhoods," October 19, 2010. Available from IUPUI ScholarWorks. http://hdl.handle.net/1805/2282.0040-747Xhttps://hdl.handle.net/1805/2282This post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of the article submitted to IUPUI ScholarWorks as part of the OASIS Project. Article reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Permission granted through posted policies on copyright owner’s website or through direct contact with copyright owner.This study uses the social capital concept to explain geographical variation in public library use. Applying Putnam's social capital theory, we examine how social capital in three New York City neighbourhoods affects usage of local branch libraries. A survey was conducted to understand differences in public library use and social capital in the neighbourhoods. Diversity and segregation indices were included as additional measures of social capital. The study found that neighbourhoods with higher levels of social capital, especially bridging social capital, tend to have higher public library use.en-USNeighborhoodsNew York CityPublic LibrariesSocial CapitalSurveyPublic libraries -- New York (State) -- New YorkPublic libraries -- Use studiesArticle