Spatial variation in accessibility of libraries in Hong Kong

Yingqi Guo, Chee Hon Chan, Paul S.F. Yip*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Libraries play a significant role in supplying educational and cultural services. They are important public spaces that can contribute to creating social equality by providing unlimited access to information and public spaces for the community. In this research both the traditional measures (supply-to-demand ratio and straight distance) and advanced measures (population-weighted average nearest network distance and population-weighted average two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) score) are used to assess spatial inequity in the distribution of libraries throughout Hong Kong. How accessibility has been changed after the introduction of two strategies for improvement (community and mobile libraries) is also examined, as are spatial demographic and socioeconomic characteristics associated with library provision. The results indicate that there is a substantial heterogeneity of library provision in Hong Kong. Community and mobile libraries have significantly improved the library provision in several areas, although spatial inequality remains. Areas with demographic and socioeconomic groups with lower accessibility to library services were further identified. Data at multiple geographical scales were used, and consistent findings were obtained, confirming the robustness of the results.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)319-329
Number of pages11
JournalLibrary and Information Science Research
Volume39
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2017
Externally publishedYes

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Information Systems
  • Library and Information Sciences

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