Re-examining the Values of the Public Library in Times of Uncertainty and Hardship

A review of selected published sources on the legitimacy of the public library shows that there is a paucity of critical thinking about public libraries and their future. The paper considers ideas generated from reading German philosopher Axel Honneth's seminal work "Das Recht der Freiheit". A discussion is conducted of Honneth's theoretical perspectives, particularly the notion of social freedom, and their applicability to theory building in public librarianship.