Ett bibliotek är ju ingen affär. Om boksvinn på tre svenska universitetsbibliotek.
The intention of this essay is to describe the problems with loss of books at three Swedish University libraries. It?s based on interviews with librarians. The library codes of ethics, the library law and the terms of reference of the libraries are central for my understanding. Interview results: Little was being done to stop theft. Actions were normally taken after severe losses. The libraries did not collect statistics and did not make inventories. It was impossible for the librarians to find a library user guilty of stealing. The security system by the entrance only worked discouraging. In this essay I interpret my findings with cultural analyses theory which claims that people who spend regular time with each other and share experiences begin to share ideas and values. That explains the similarities in between the libraries. Closed stacks go against the aim of the libraries to give researchers and students good access to information. Statistics is not of high priority because it doesn?t necessarily profit the library user. A more businesslike approach to could be offenders go against the library codes of ethics. This opens up for many opportunities for theft. The security situation at the libraries can be explained with an allegory, which reveals the ideas and values of the library: Its higher task is to supply knowledge. It?s like a church where knowledge is God. To read is to worship. The librarian is the priest. If the priest would see ?knowledge? as a commodity she reduces herself to a shop assistant.