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Läsfrämjande lärosätesbibliotek - En kvalitativ studie om studenters deltagande i en bokcirkel på ett lärosätesbibliotek

Andrén, Klara LU (2024) ABMM54 20241
Division of ALM, Digital Cultures and Publishing Studies
Abstract
Promoting reading through book clubs in academic libraries is a relatively new phenomenon in Sweden, despite the Swedish Library Act mandating that all pub-licly funded libraries should "promote the position of literature" (SFS 2013:801). In the Swedish context, there is limited research on reading promotion in aca-demic libraries. Internationally, some studies exist, but few employ a case-study, qualitative approach that includes interviewing students. The aim of this master's thesis is to contribute to the understanding of how academic libraries in Sweden engage in reading promotion. The following questions are addressed: (1) What functions can a book club at an academic library serve for participating students? (2) What role does the... (More)
Promoting reading through book clubs in academic libraries is a relatively new phenomenon in Sweden, despite the Swedish Library Act mandating that all pub-licly funded libraries should "promote the position of literature" (SFS 2013:801). In the Swedish context, there is limited research on reading promotion in aca-demic libraries. Internationally, some studies exist, but few employ a case-study, qualitative approach that includes interviewing students. The aim of this master's thesis is to contribute to the understanding of how academic libraries in Sweden engage in reading promotion. The following questions are addressed: (1) What functions can a book club at an academic library serve for participating students? (2) What role does the academic library play for these students? A qualitative, ethnographic approach was employed. Empirical data were gathered through a case study of a specific book club, Professionsstudenternas bokcirkel at Malmö University. This involved participant observation at three book club meetings and one meeting with the librarians who led the book clubs. Additionally, nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with students who attended at least one meeting where the fictional book was discussed. Under the theoretical frame-work, reading is perceived as a social practice. A sociocultural approach com-bined with practice theory is used as an analytical tool. Concepts from sociologist Elizabeth Long (2003), who describes reading as “socially framed” and the "so-cial infrastructure of reading," are employed. The empathetic development that can occur through fiction is problematized by using Megan Boler (1997) concept of “passive empathy” and "testimonial reading,". Additionally, Erik Klinenberg's (2018) theory of libraries as a part of the social infrastructure is utilized. The re-sults indicate that the social reading within the book club enables students to read and reflect on social reading, their education, future professions and the role of the library. Most interview participants expressed a desire to participate in a book club again. The academic library emerges as an integral part of the university's social infrastructure, supporting not only academic but also social and personal development. The book club not only fosters encounters with literature but also facilitates interactions among students through ensuing discussions. The role of the library and its librarians is to facilitate these encounters—both with the book and with other students—and to ensure they take place. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Andrén, Klara LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Promoting Reading at Academic Libraries - Students' Participation in a Book Club Organized by an Academic Library
course
ABMM54 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Academic Libraries, Book Clubs, Reading Promotion, Social Reading, Lärosätesbibliotek, Universitetsbibliotek, Läsfrämjande, Bokcirklar, Social läsning
language
Swedish
id
9156994
date added to LUP
2024-06-24 08:41:53
date last changed
2024-06-24 08:41:53
@misc{9156994,
  abstract     = {{Promoting reading through book clubs in academic libraries is a relatively new phenomenon in Sweden, despite the Swedish Library Act mandating that all pub-licly funded libraries should "promote the position of literature" (SFS 2013:801). In the Swedish context, there is limited research on reading promotion in aca-demic libraries. Internationally, some studies exist, but few employ a case-study, qualitative approach that includes interviewing students. The aim of this master's thesis is to contribute to the understanding of how academic libraries in Sweden engage in reading promotion. The following questions are addressed: (1) What functions can a book club at an academic library serve for participating students? (2) What role does the academic library play for these students? A qualitative, ethnographic approach was employed. Empirical data were gathered through a case study of a specific book club, Professionsstudenternas bokcirkel at Malmö University. This involved participant observation at three book club meetings and one meeting with the librarians who led the book clubs. Additionally, nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with students who attended at least one meeting where the fictional book was discussed. Under the theoretical frame-work, reading is perceived as a social practice. A sociocultural approach com-bined with practice theory is used as an analytical tool. Concepts from sociologist Elizabeth Long (2003), who describes reading as “socially framed” and the "so-cial infrastructure of reading," are employed. The empathetic development that can occur through fiction is problematized by using Megan Boler (1997) concept of “passive empathy” and "testimonial reading,". Additionally, Erik Klinenberg's (2018) theory of libraries as a part of the social infrastructure is utilized. The re-sults indicate that the social reading within the book club enables students to read and reflect on social reading, their education, future professions and the role of the library. Most interview participants expressed a desire to participate in a book club again. The academic library emerges as an integral part of the university's social infrastructure, supporting not only academic but also social and personal development. The book club not only fosters encounters with literature but also facilitates interactions among students through ensuing discussions. The role of the library and its librarians is to facilitate these encounters—both with the book and with other students—and to ensure they take place.}},
  author       = {{Andrén, Klara}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Läsfrämjande lärosätesbibliotek - En kvalitativ studie om studenters deltagande i en bokcirkel på ett lärosätesbibliotek}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}