Canaries of Democracy : The Role of Public Libraries in Times of Political Turmoil
(2024) In Public Library Quarterly p.1-25- Abstract
- This article reports conclusions from a three-year research project on Swedish public libraries. The focus of the project is on librarians experience of libraries mission to promote democracy when democratic norms and values are challenged politically by radical right populism. Results of a longitudinal survey point to stability and lack of political interest over time, but increased societal polarization causes several ethical dilemmas for librarians. Examples of illegitimate political influence and librarians adapting to changes in the political climate call for renewed discussions on the professional role and understandings of democracy in library practice.
- Abstract (Swedish)
- This article reports conclusions from a three-year research project on Swedish public libraries. The focus of the project is on librarians experience of libraries mission to promote democracy when democratic norms and values are challenged politically by radical right populism. Results of a longitudinal survey point to stability and lack of political interest over time, but increased societal polarization causes several ethical dilemmas for librarians. Examples of illegitimate political influence and librarians adapting to changes in the political climate call for renewed discussions on the professional role and understandings of democracy in library practice.
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/66a2e5c6-c35c-4473-a8b6-a80cd6b5b05e
- author
- Hanell, Fredrik
; Carlsson, Hanna
; Engström, Lisa
LU
and Hansson, Joacim
- organization
- publishing date
- 2024-08-10
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- epub
- subject
- keywords
- Public libraries, Antagonism, Mouffe, Democracy, Radical right parties
- in
- Public Library Quarterly
- pages
- 25 pages
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- ISSN
- 1541-1540
- DOI
- 10.1080/01616846.2024.2385741
- project
- Folkbiblioteken i ett förändrat politiskt landskap – ett demokratiuppdrag för en ny tid?
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 66a2e5c6-c35c-4473-a8b6-a80cd6b5b05e
- date added to LUP
- 2024-08-11 06:58:09
- date last changed
- 2024-08-15 09:00:45
@article{66a2e5c6-c35c-4473-a8b6-a80cd6b5b05e, abstract = {{This article reports conclusions from a three-year research project on Swedish public libraries. The focus of the project is on librarians experience of libraries mission to promote democracy when democratic norms and values are challenged politically by radical right populism. Results of a longitudinal survey point to stability and lack of political interest over time, but increased societal polarization causes several ethical dilemmas for librarians. Examples of illegitimate political influence and librarians adapting to changes in the political climate call for renewed discussions on the professional role and understandings of democracy in library practice.}}, author = {{Hanell, Fredrik and Carlsson, Hanna and Engström, Lisa and Hansson, Joacim}}, issn = {{1541-1540}}, keywords = {{Public libraries; Antagonism; Mouffe; Democracy; Radical right parties}}, language = {{eng}}, month = {{08}}, pages = {{1--25}}, publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}}, series = {{Public Library Quarterly}}, title = {{Canaries of Democracy : The Role of Public Libraries in Times of Political Turmoil}}, url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2024.2385741}}, doi = {{10.1080/01616846.2024.2385741}}, year = {{2024}}, }