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This paper builds upon prior research by empirically assessing whether the construction of public libraries contributes to reducing the second- and third-order digital divides in China. Additionally, we evaluate the effectiveness of bolstering physical infrastructure resources versus increasing information-sharing activities in narrowing this divide. Utilizing data from CSMAR, we employ regression models and super-efficiency Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models to analyze the impact. Our findings reveal that while public library construction positively impacts the third-order digital divide, it has no significant effect on the second-order digital divide. Moreover, augmenting physical infrastructure resources demonstrates a stronger efficacy. Notably, the number of provinces with efficiency values above 1 exhibits an upward trend from 2013 to 2019, signaling increased governmental emphasis on public library construction. These empirical results offer valuable insights, prompting a reassessment of the role of public library constructions in addressing various levels of the digital divide.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/09610006251321484","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,4]],"date-time":"2025-03-04T13:34:25Z","timestamp":1741095265000},"page":"508-524","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Reduce the digital divide in China: From the perspective of public library constructions"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"58","author":[{"given":"Ming-Huan","family":"Shou","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Hangzhou Dianzi University, China"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-0912-7396","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Yi-Tong","family":"Zhou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Zhejiang University of Finance &amp; Economics, China"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,2]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_3_2_1","first-page":"1","article-title":"Impact of digital divide on students\u2019 performance in computerized UTME in Nigeria","author":"Abdulkareem Z","year":"2023","unstructured":"Abdulkareem Z, Lennon M (2023) Impact of digital divide on students\u2019 performance in computerized UTME in Nigeria. 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