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“Om goda viljor vilja […]”: En studie av befintlig biblioteksverksamhet inom den svenska kriminalvården

Tobiasson, Anna LU and Wallin Carlquist, Nina LU (2024) ABMM54 20241
Division of ALM and Digital Cultures
Abstract
Prison library operation is an area which rarely gets attention from the public nor in research and is a niche within library operation which historically has fallen behind other types of library operations. In this master’s thesis we aim to shed light upon the operation of prison libraries in Sweden by investigating the access of the incarcerated to libraries and what reading promotion activities are in place, and to identify important factors for providing adequate library service in prisons. Using organization theory as a lens, this study presents a combined quantitative and qualitative evaluation of Swedish prison libraries. The methodology includes a survey sent to prisons and semi-constructed interviews with librarians employed at or... (More)
Prison library operation is an area which rarely gets attention from the public nor in research and is a niche within library operation which historically has fallen behind other types of library operations. In this master’s thesis we aim to shed light upon the operation of prison libraries in Sweden by investigating the access of the incarcerated to libraries and what reading promotion activities are in place, and to identify important factors for providing adequate library service in prisons. Using organization theory as a lens, this study presents a combined quantitative and qualitative evaluation of Swedish prison libraries. The methodology includes a survey sent to prisons and semi-constructed interviews with librarians employed at or servicing prison libraries. Survey responses were obtained from 23 out of the 46 Swedish prisons. The results show that there are great differences in-between prisons regarding access to prison libraries, librarians and reading promotion activities in Sweden. From this investigation, seven factors of importance are identified for the operation and maintenance of an adequate prison library: (i) the library space, (ii) the librarian, (iii) the access to reading promotion activities, (iv) internal collaborations and networks, (v) the prison-specific conditions under which to operate, (vi) implementation of governing documents, and (vii) the understanding of the library operation at management level. This thesis illuminates the value and potential of prison library operations and offers possible ways to move forward. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Tobiasson, Anna LU and Wallin Carlquist, Nina LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
“If those with good intentions are willing […]”: A study of existing library operations within the Swedish correctional service
course
ABMM54 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
prison libraries, prison librarian, reading promotion, correctional service, library management
language
Swedish
id
9155357
date added to LUP
2024-06-18 14:55:38
date last changed
2024-06-18 14:55:38
@misc{9155357,
  abstract     = {{Prison library operation is an area which rarely gets attention from the public nor in research and is a niche within library operation which historically has fallen behind other types of library operations. In this master’s thesis we aim to shed light upon the operation of prison libraries in Sweden by investigating the access of the incarcerated to libraries and what reading promotion activities are in place, and to identify important factors for providing adequate library service in prisons. Using organization theory as a lens, this study presents a combined quantitative and qualitative evaluation of Swedish prison libraries. The methodology includes a survey sent to prisons and semi-constructed interviews with librarians employed at or servicing prison libraries. Survey responses were obtained from 23 out of the 46 Swedish prisons. The results show that there are great differences in-between prisons regarding access to prison libraries, librarians and reading promotion activities in Sweden. From this investigation, seven factors of importance are identified for the operation and maintenance of an adequate prison library: (i) the library space, (ii) the librarian, (iii) the access to reading promotion activities, (iv) internal collaborations and networks, (v) the prison-specific conditions under which to operate, (vi) implementation of governing documents, and (vii) the understanding of the library operation at management level. This thesis illuminates the value and potential of prison library operations and offers possible ways to move forward.}},
  author       = {{Tobiasson, Anna and Wallin Carlquist, Nina}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{“Om goda viljor vilja […]”: En studie av befintlig biblioteksverksamhet inom den svenska kriminalvården}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}