Rough guide to citizen engagement in public libraries

This rough guide explores the role of public libraries in citizen engagement processes and, more generally, in the making and nurturing of democratic societies. Citizen engagement generally refers to invited forms of citizen involvement in policymaking and decision-making initiated by public institutions, including governmental bodies. It differs from uninvited forms of citizen participation characterised by a more spontaneous and bottom-up character. Inviting citizens to discuss a specific public issue requires the creation of a space of dialogue between citizens and public decision-makers.