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LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

The Provision of Space: Lund's City Library as Crucial Social Infrastructure

Sturfelt, Eyvind LU (2026) SGEL36 20261
Department of Human Geography
Abstract
This study examines how the City Library in Lund functions as a form of social infrastructure and crucial urban public space. This is realized by way of a triangulation approach through the examination of two municipal documents which dictate the programming of the library, an interview with a seasoned librarian, and several semi-structured observations at the site itself. The study is grounded both in theories of public space and the development of public space in the 21st century, and in particular utilizes Latham and Layton's (2019) conceptual framework of social infrastructure to analyze the value of the library as a public space. The results show that two primary groups make use of the space, students and pensioners. Primarily,... (More)
This study examines how the City Library in Lund functions as a form of social infrastructure and crucial urban public space. This is realized by way of a triangulation approach through the examination of two municipal documents which dictate the programming of the library, an interview with a seasoned librarian, and several semi-structured observations at the site itself. The study is grounded both in theories of public space and the development of public space in the 21st century, and in particular utilizes Latham and Layton's (2019) conceptual framework of social infrastructure to analyze the value of the library as a public space. The results show that two primary groups make use of the space, students and pensioners. Primarily, younger people visit the City Library in order to access the space itself, while older people visit the City Library in order to access the functions provided within the space. The social value of the library lies mainly in its unconditional access and varied abundance of functions, which in turn could be seen to contribute to a more equal city. The findings contribute to the understanding of modern day urban public spaces, and which part public libraries might play as accessible indoor spaces in the city. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Sturfelt, Eyvind LU
supervisor
organization
course
SGEL36 20261
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
public space, social infrastructure, public libraries, Lund's City Library, usage, provision
language
English
id
9231889
date added to LUP
2026-06-15 16:41:53
date last changed
2026-06-15 16:41:53
@misc{9231889,
  abstract     = {{This study examines how the City Library in Lund functions as a form of social infrastructure and crucial urban public space. This is realized by way of a triangulation approach through the examination of two municipal documents which dictate the programming of the library, an interview with a seasoned librarian, and several semi-structured observations at the site itself. The study is grounded both in theories of public space and the development of public space in the 21st century, and in particular utilizes Latham and Layton's (2019) conceptual framework of social infrastructure to analyze the value of the library as a public space. The results show that two primary groups make use of the space, students and pensioners. Primarily, younger people visit the City Library in order to access the space itself, while older people visit the City Library in order to access the functions provided within the space. The social value of the library lies mainly in its unconditional access and varied abundance of functions, which in turn could be seen to contribute to a more equal city. The findings contribute to the understanding of modern day urban public spaces, and which part public libraries might play as accessible indoor spaces in the city.}},
  author       = {{Sturfelt, Eyvind}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Provision of Space: Lund's City Library as Crucial Social Infrastructure}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}