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This paper aims to propose a three-phase interpenetrating continua model for the numerical simulation of water waves and porous structure interaction.

In contrast with one-fluid formulation or multi-component methods, each phase has its own characteristics, density, velocity, etc., and each point is occupied by all phases. First, the porous structure is modelled as a phase of continua with a penalty force adding on the momentum equation, so the conservation of mass is guaranteed without source terms. Second, the adaptive unstructured mesh modelling with P1DG-P1 elements is used here to decrease the total number of degree of freedom maintaining the same order of accuracy.

Several benchmark problems are used to validate the model, which includes the Darcy flow, classical collapse of water column and water column with a porous structure. The interpenetrating continua model is a suitable approach for water wave and porous structure interaction problem.

The interpenetrating continua model is first applied for the water wave and porous structure interaction problem. First, the structure is modelled as phase of non-viscous fluid with penalty force, so the break of the porous structure, porosity changes can be easily embedded for further complex studies. Second, the mass conservation of fluids is automatically satisfied without special treatment. Finally, adaptive anisotropic mesh in space is employed to reduce the computational cost.

Despite a growth in demand that public libraries be accountable to citizen needs, basic research into the socio‐cultural context in which libraries operate, particularly cross‐culturally, is still needed. Durrance and Fisher have argued that libraries have too long relied on output measures to indicate library efficiency (and to justify funding) but that such measures do not reflect the social, cultural or other values actually held or gained by library users. This observation begs the question, what socio‐cultural functions do public libraries actually have? What values do they reinforce? What needs are met? How do public libraries fit into the larger social fabric of public and private institutions? And how might these functions vary from one society to another? This paper aims to address these issues.

The questions are similar in scope to those found in museum studies (for example, see the book series Museum Meanings edited by Eilean Hooper‐Greenhill and Flora Kaplan), but have been rarely applied to libraries. In an unusual research collaboration we explore these questions relying on both qualitative and quantitative methods to gauge some of the socio‐cultural functions of a public library in Japan.

Of primary concern is the methodological problem of developing questions that draw out values and concepts of which the visitors themselves may not be explicitly aware. In this research the paper attempts to draw out not just the satisfaction levels of patrons, but to delineate something of the patrons' own conception of their public library. Studying a rather unusual library by Japanese standards, it is found that some patrons have responded to the particularly strong community focus of the library director.

Socio‐cultural studies of the functions of libraries are rare. This study therefore can act as an exemplar for further international studies.