The library assemblage: creative institutions in an information society
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical analysis of the concept of an “institution” in order to understand the potential of the library as an institution.
Design/methodology/approach
The work of Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari is used to build a theoretical foundation from which to construct a vision of institutions, particularly libraries, as a tools for social justice rather than market forces.
Findings
It is possible to analyse institutions and libraries in particular, in terms of codes and rules that constrain behaviour. The concept of institutions as assemblages can be used as an alternative in order to emphasise the creative and transformative potential of institutions.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to a small body of critical literature that examines the theoretical principles that can ground library services as tools for advocacy.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Research for this work was made possible with funding from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Citation
Gerolami, N. (2015), "The library assemblage: creative institutions in an information society", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 71 No. 1, pp. 165-174. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-09-2013-0120
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited