This study addresses the lack of a theoretical framework explaining how public libraries translate digital connectivity into substantive social inclusion, aiming to construct a middle-range theory of this process.
Guided by a theory-building paradigm, this research employs an interpretive, multiple-case comparative design. Following principles of theoretical sampling and maximum variation, six in-depth case studies of public libraries across the Global South and developed nations were conducted. Data from policy documents, academic literature and institutional reports were triangulated to enable inductive, cross-case thematic analysis and theoretical abstraction.
The study constructs the empowering intermediation theory. It posits the public library as an institutional composite intermediary, operating through four synergistic mechanisms – resource bridging, skill transforming, contextual adapting and trust catalyzing – that transform external resources into community capabilities.
The theory provides a systemic roadmap for designing and evaluating digital inclusion services, moving beyond a project-based mindset toward mechanism-aware practice, which provides practitioners with a clear framework to move beyond isolated projects and guides the design and evaluation of digital inclusion services by focusing on how these core mechanisms work together to create a deeper impact.
The framework articulates the indispensable role of libraries in bridging digital divides and promoting social equity, strengthening their case as agents of inclusive development.
The work reconceptualizes the core Library and Information Science concept of intermediation, shifting its paradigm from information transmission to societal empowerment. It offers a novel, context-sensitive middle-range theory for understanding libraries’ role in the digital age.
