En snäll tantroman gör ingen skada en kritisk studie om skyltning och makt
The purpose of our thesis is to take a closer look at what lies behind the display of fiction in public libraries. Through interviewing ten librarians and analysing their statements, it examines the mechanisms behind the displaying of books. The analysis was conducted through the application of two different theories, one by Aant Elzinga and one by Douglas Raber. Elzingas theory concerns methods of working, while Rabers theory concerns the purpose of public libraries and attitudes towards power. The following conclusions were drawn from analysing the statements. Firstly, the predominant strategy utilized by the librarians in question turned out to be the pragmatic one, in which looks and popularity determine which books are displayed. Secondly, the attitude towards power most often adopted by the librarians turned out to be the conservative one. The librarian demonstrates this attitude by being conscious of her power through the display of books, and by her willful execution of said power. This is followed by an examination of how this power is conveyed to the users by assuming different roles, and what political forces stand behind the collection of the library. By applying the concept of ideological hegemony, this thesis then discusses the roles played out by the librarians in question. After considering how the different strategies and attitudes affect the users, the discussion is concluded by an in-depth look at who or what benefits from the display of fiction.