Folkbiblioteket - där samhällets brister syns : en studie om bibliotekssocionomer och folkbibliotekets sociala uppdrag
(2024) ABMM54 20241Division of ALM and Digital Cultures
- Abstract
- This thesis highlights the social mission of the public library by studying the relationship between public libraries and social work. The aim is to increase knowledge about how the presence of library social workers (LSWs) in public libraries can be understood in the light of societal changes, perceptions on the public library’s social responsibility, and how this presence can affect the treatment of socially vulnerable patrons. This was studied by conducting a survey of all public library managers in Sweden who do not employ an LSW. Five of these managers were also interviewed, as well as the two library managers who employ an LSW. The empirical material was analyzed using previous research, institutional theory and theory of... (More)
- This thesis highlights the social mission of the public library by studying the relationship between public libraries and social work. The aim is to increase knowledge about how the presence of library social workers (LSWs) in public libraries can be understood in the light of societal changes, perceptions on the public library’s social responsibility, and how this presence can affect the treatment of socially vulnerable patrons. This was studied by conducting a survey of all public library managers in Sweden who do not employ an LSW. Five of these managers were also interviewed, as well as the two library managers who employ an LSW. The empirical material was analyzed using previous research, institutional theory and theory of professions. The public library managers who participated in this study generally express interest in LSWs, but they have different views on what roles they can have. Three potential roles for the LSW are discovered: the LSW as an expert on patron interaction, the LSW as a solution to combat disorderly behavior in the library, and the LSW as a facilitator of library services. The study also shows that the libraries studied in many ways compensate for the shortcomings of society. Participants who express no interest in hiring an LSW see collaborating within their municipality as an alternative to LSWs. The participants interest in hiring LSWs depends on how much social responsibility they think the library should take on, and what aspects of the Swedish Library Act they put emphasis on. The libraries' pursuit of legitimacy is linked to institutional myths such as which professions are employed by the library, and the needs of the local population. Due to the library’s compensating role, and the fact that many socially vulnerable groups frequent the library for a variety of reasons, several of the study’s participants express the need for the inclusion of other professions in the public library. At the same time, there is also concern regarding the implications of employing other professions, such as LSWs, for the future trajectory of the profession of librarianship. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9154557
- author
- Jörgensen, Moa LU and Larsdotter, Sara LU
- supervisor
- organization
- alternative title
- The Public Library – Where Society's Flaws are Visible : A Study about Library Social Workers and the Social Mission of the Public Library
- course
- ABMM54 20241
- year
- 2024
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- public library, social work, library social workers, institutional theory, theory of professions, social vulnerability, legitimacy
- language
- Swedish
- id
- 9154557
- date added to LUP
- 2024-06-19 09:11:23
- date last changed
- 2024-06-19 09:11:23
@misc{9154557,
abstract = {{This thesis highlights the social mission of the public library by studying the relationship between public libraries and social work. The aim is to increase knowledge about how the presence of library social workers (LSWs) in public libraries can be understood in the light of societal changes, perceptions on the public library’s social responsibility, and how this presence can affect the treatment of socially vulnerable patrons. This was studied by conducting a survey of all public library managers in Sweden who do not employ an LSW. Five of these managers were also interviewed, as well as the two library managers who employ an LSW. The empirical material was analyzed using previous research, institutional theory and theory of professions. The public library managers who participated in this study generally express interest in LSWs, but they have different views on what roles they can have. Three potential roles for the LSW are discovered: the LSW as an expert on patron interaction, the LSW as a solution to combat disorderly behavior in the library, and the LSW as a facilitator of library services. The study also shows that the libraries studied in many ways compensate for the shortcomings of society. Participants who express no interest in hiring an LSW see collaborating within their municipality as an alternative to LSWs. The participants interest in hiring LSWs depends on how much social responsibility they think the library should take on, and what aspects of the Swedish Library Act they put emphasis on. The libraries' pursuit of legitimacy is linked to institutional myths such as which professions are employed by the library, and the needs of the local population. Due to the library’s compensating role, and the fact that many socially vulnerable groups frequent the library for a variety of reasons, several of the study’s participants express the need for the inclusion of other professions in the public library. At the same time, there is also concern regarding the implications of employing other professions, such as LSWs, for the future trajectory of the profession of librarianship.}},
author = {{Jörgensen, Moa and Larsdotter, Sara}},
language = {{swe}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Folkbiblioteket - där samhällets brister syns : en studie om bibliotekssocionomer och folkbibliotekets sociala uppdrag}},
year = {{2024}},
}