Manuela Aeberli, Felix Hüppi: The article presents the first social impact study of public libraries in Switzerland, focusing on three urban library systems in the canton of Zürich. Using Seismonaut’s Social Impact Compass and mixed methods, the authors assess effects on wellbeing, knowledge, creativity and community, plus emergent dimensions of sustainability and the value of physical media. Results show libraries as heavily used “third places” that support learning, integration, family life and digital balance, far beyond circulation figures. The study offers an evidence base for service development, political advocacy and stakeholder communication, challenging outdated images of libraries as purely book-lending institutions.

“Es ist auch ein Treffpunkt”: new impact study on public libraries in Zürich (journal article). Zürcher libraries strengthen wellbeing, learning, creativity, community and sustainability, measured with the Social Impact Compass. #libraries #Switzerland #socimpact #Zürich

doi.org/10.1515/bfp-...