Debatten om Biblioteksdatoriseringen
tendenser i Biblioteksbladet, Bis och DIK-forum 1970-1999
The purpose of this thesis was to trace and discuss tendencies in the debate of the computerization of the libraries, in Swedish library press during the period of 1970-1999. The set-out was the issue of how the library journals, as representatives and mouthpieces of a by tradition humanistic profession, coped with a revolutionary innovation related to a field (data technology) which they hadn't any knowledge or even interest in. The examination included three Swedish library journals: Biblioteksbladet with connection to Sweden?s most established library organization (SAB); Bis which is founded upon a socialistic base and; DIK-forum rooted in the union. The analysis of the debate was partly based on three different sets of values related to data and systems development. These were identified and defined by the behavioural scientists Johansson/Grahm in Den datoriserade Prometheus (1985) and labelled positivism, commercialism and humanism. The conclusions showed a fragmentary and polarized debate during the 1970's, which didn't speed up until the last years of the decade. During the 1980's the debate was intensified, with a wider range of subjects and arguments. During the 1990's the debate narrowed, holding it's primary focus on the Internet and questions concerning copyright and democracy. Due to the reasonings of Johansson/Grahm the opposition ? during the 1970's and the early 1980's ? mainly between humanism on one hand and commercialism and positivism on the other was made clear. But one should also bear in mind that some arguments were rooted in fear and ignorance, rather than in humanism. During the 1980's and the 1990's, when the experience and knowledge of data technology increased, the polarized debate became more attuned and positive towards the possibilities of IT.