Bildningsrummet. Om bildningsbegreppet i folkbiblioteksdiskursen.
The Swedish concept of bildning, related to the German Bildung, finding its correspondence in English in refinement, formation and culture, is an important, though traditional rather than modern concept in cultural policy and sphere. The concept connected to the activity of the public library is relevant, as the library uses the word as a description of parts of its work. The meaning of the concept can easily be seen to be complex as well as disputed, borders on and is related to other concepts. The paper discusses different meanings to the concept according to different Swedish authors, as well as the connection of the concept to related ones. The varieties and differences are expressed as differences in discourse. These results are used to analyses different applications of the concept in what is being called a discourse of the Swedish public library, mainly studying two official reports. The results show that, as in the use in general, there is no agreement, no hegemony, in the use of the concept; there might even be reason to speak of different discourses under the name of public library. This depends partly on significance seen in the efforts of bildning made by the public library, and showing its consequences in conflicting attitudes concerning purpose. One important comparison is that the ambition of bildning in the public library is similar to that concerning school education. The ambition to do with bildning in the activity of the public library is problematic and exposes possible conflicts.