Nyckeln till kärnhuset – En kvalitativ intervjustudie om Äppelhyllan som praktik inom svenska folkbibliotekslandskap
(2025) ABMM54 20251Division of ALM, Digital Cultures and Publishing Studies
- Abstract
- Children and young people with non-normative functionality are, according to the Swedish Library Act, prioritised groups. Still, many libraries lack inclusive and accessible services and resources aimed at these groups. This thesis explores the Apple Shelf – a section in Swedish public libraries intended to create an inclusive environment and offer relevant resources that address the needs of these target groups. The study seeks to generate knowledge and inspire further development of library practices that create necessary conditions to support the prioritised groups. In this thesis, ableism – the notion that bodies are categorised as either abled or disabled – is viewed as a normative structure deeply embedded in society, culture, and... (More)
- Children and young people with non-normative functionality are, according to the Swedish Library Act, prioritised groups. Still, many libraries lack inclusive and accessible services and resources aimed at these groups. This thesis explores the Apple Shelf – a section in Swedish public libraries intended to create an inclusive environment and offer relevant resources that address the needs of these target groups. The study seeks to generate knowledge and inspire further development of library practices that create necessary conditions to support the prioritised groups. In this thesis, ableism – the notion that bodies are categorised as either abled or disabled – is viewed as a normative structure deeply embedded in society, culture, and knowledge systems. Building on this, the Apple Shelf is analysed as a practice through a norm-critical and practice-theoretical lens. The research questions address how the Apple Shelf is manifested; which cultural-discursive, material-economic and social-political arrangements enable and constrain the practice; and how ableism is maintained and challenged within it. Seven qualitative interviews were conducted with library staff – six of them librarians – working with the Apple Shelf at seven public libraries across Sweden. The findings show that, overall, reaching the target groups is the most challenging part of the Apple Shelf practice. Enabling factors include social networks such as local partnerships, relationships with the target groups and key individuals with special expertise or experience. In the absence of such arrangements, librarians face greater barriers. Logistical issues, as well as lack of money and time, were hindering factors. Finally, the study also reveals patterns of ableism, as well as ways these patterns are actively challenged by librarians within the Apple Shelf practice. It also shows how societal and organisational structures carry and maintain ableist norms. My findings contribute to the development of more inclusive library practices, aiming at the prioritised groups, at multiple levels within the public library sector. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9194858
- author
- Skute, Nellie LU
- supervisor
-
- Olof Sundin LU
- organization
- alternative title
- The Apple Shelf as Practice – An Interview Study within the Landscape of Swedish Public Libraries
- course
- ABMM54 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Library and Information Science, Critical Disability Studies, Crip Theory, Ableism, Practice Theory, Inclusive Library Practices, Library Accessibility, Swedish Public Library Practice
- language
- Swedish
- id
- 9194858
- date added to LUP
- 2025-06-24 10:42:56
- date last changed
- 2025-06-24 10:42:56
@misc{9194858,
abstract = {{Children and young people with non-normative functionality are, according to the Swedish Library Act, prioritised groups. Still, many libraries lack inclusive and accessible services and resources aimed at these groups. This thesis explores the Apple Shelf – a section in Swedish public libraries intended to create an inclusive environment and offer relevant resources that address the needs of these target groups. The study seeks to generate knowledge and inspire further development of library practices that create necessary conditions to support the prioritised groups. In this thesis, ableism – the notion that bodies are categorised as either abled or disabled – is viewed as a normative structure deeply embedded in society, culture, and knowledge systems. Building on this, the Apple Shelf is analysed as a practice through a norm-critical and practice-theoretical lens. The research questions address how the Apple Shelf is manifested; which cultural-discursive, material-economic and social-political arrangements enable and constrain the practice; and how ableism is maintained and challenged within it. Seven qualitative interviews were conducted with library staff – six of them librarians – working with the Apple Shelf at seven public libraries across Sweden. The findings show that, overall, reaching the target groups is the most challenging part of the Apple Shelf practice. Enabling factors include social networks such as local partnerships, relationships with the target groups and key individuals with special expertise or experience. In the absence of such arrangements, librarians face greater barriers. Logistical issues, as well as lack of money and time, were hindering factors. Finally, the study also reveals patterns of ableism, as well as ways these patterns are actively challenged by librarians within the Apple Shelf practice. It also shows how societal and organisational structures carry and maintain ableist norms. My findings contribute to the development of more inclusive library practices, aiming at the prioritised groups, at multiple levels within the public library sector.}},
author = {{Skute, Nellie}},
language = {{swe}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Nyckeln till kärnhuset – En kvalitativ intervjustudie om Äppelhyllan som praktik inom svenska folkbibliotekslandskap}},
year = {{2025}},
}