This paper investigates library as a space for forming public opinion in Brazil. The theoretical framework is Habermas work about the public sphere and the construction of public opinion. To understand the public sphere constitution’s in Brazil was realized a historical research about different meanings of the library and reading. The main conclusion is that the public library can be an area of forming public opinion and at the same time promote critical actions in lecture and lector formation. For this potential to become true it is necessary that government policies and actions, educationally and culturally, have a central focus on reducing inequalities of class and race, prevailing in Brazilian society.
Public library; Public space; Social inequalities
