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LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

From Lund Sweden to Nepal: A comparative ethnographic study of public libraries as inclusive spaces

Basel, Binita LU (2025) TKAM02 20251
Division of Ethnology
Abstract
This thesis explores how public libraries in Lund, Sweden, and various regions of Nepal
function as inclusive community spaces. Drawing on ethnographic methods including
observation, interviews, digital ethnography, and surveys, it compares the everyday
experiences of library users in two different national contexts. Grounded in theories of the
public sphere by Habermas and Risse, and their critiques, the study examines how factors
such as infrastructure, language, policy, digital access, and staff interaction shape perceptions
of inclusion.
The findings reveal that public libraries in Lund are well-resourced, physically accessible,
and intentionally designed to foster social inclusion, particularly for marginalized groups
such as... (More)
This thesis explores how public libraries in Lund, Sweden, and various regions of Nepal
function as inclusive community spaces. Drawing on ethnographic methods including
observation, interviews, digital ethnography, and surveys, it compares the everyday
experiences of library users in two different national contexts. Grounded in theories of the
public sphere by Habermas and Risse, and their critiques, the study examines how factors
such as infrastructure, language, policy, digital access, and staff interaction shape perceptions
of inclusion.
The findings reveal that public libraries in Lund are well-resourced, physically accessible,
and intentionally designed to foster social inclusion, particularly for marginalized groups
such as immigrants, the elderly, and disabled users. In contrast, libraries in Nepal often lack
basic infrastructure, accessibility, and institutional support, although informal community
spaces and grassroots efforts play a balancing role for social inclusion. The thesis argues that
while Swedish libraries come closer to Habermas’s ideal of the inclusive public sphere, the
realities in Nepal highlight the need for a more flexible, culturally specific understanding of
social inclusion through public libraries.
By comparing two very different library systems, this study contributes to a deeper
understanding of how public institutions, especially public libraries, can support (or hinder)
civic participation and social integration, depending on their social, political, and material
conditions. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Basel, Binita LU
supervisor
organization
course
TKAM02 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Lund, Sweden, Nepal, public libraries, inclusion, exclusion
language
English
id
9221072
date added to LUP
2026-02-06 15:54:54
date last changed
2026-02-06 15:54:54
@misc{9221072,
  abstract     = {{This thesis explores how public libraries in Lund, Sweden, and various regions of Nepal
function as inclusive community spaces. Drawing on ethnographic methods including
observation, interviews, digital ethnography, and surveys, it compares the everyday
experiences of library users in two different national contexts. Grounded in theories of the
public sphere by Habermas and Risse, and their critiques, the study examines how factors
such as infrastructure, language, policy, digital access, and staff interaction shape perceptions
of inclusion.
The findings reveal that public libraries in Lund are well-resourced, physically accessible,
and intentionally designed to foster social inclusion, particularly for marginalized groups
such as immigrants, the elderly, and disabled users. In contrast, libraries in Nepal often lack
basic infrastructure, accessibility, and institutional support, although informal community
spaces and grassroots efforts play a balancing role for social inclusion. The thesis argues that
while Swedish libraries come closer to Habermas’s ideal of the inclusive public sphere, the
realities in Nepal highlight the need for a more flexible, culturally specific understanding of
social inclusion through public libraries.
By comparing two very different library systems, this study contributes to a deeper
understanding of how public institutions, especially public libraries, can support (or hinder)
civic participation and social integration, depending on their social, political, and material
conditions.}},
  author       = {{Basel, Binita}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{From Lund Sweden to Nepal: A comparative ethnographic study of public libraries as inclusive spaces}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}