Flytande bestånd och barnbibliotek
en intervjustudie med sex barnbibliotekarier
Flytande beståndBarnbibliotekarieMediestrategiBibliotekarierollenMedietillgänglighetLitteraturförmedlingBeståndsutveckling
The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences and perceptions of children`s librarians regarding floating collections in public libraries in Gothenburg. In focus for the study are the experiences and perceptions that exist among children`s librarians when it comes to children as library users, the librarian`s working tasks and the professional role as a librarian. The empirical material has been collected through semistructured interviews with six children`s librarians. The material has been analyzed twice. The first analysis has been conducted through qualitative content analysis. The second analysis has been conducted by using a tool constructed with inspiration from Maj Klasson`s and Anders Ørom`s theories of the professional roles and identities of a librarian. One major finding is that the informants percept children as different from grown-ups in their role as library users. The way children are makes it difficult for them to get their needs satisfied in a library system that practices floating collections. On the other hand the perception that children can learn what it takes to be able to act functionally within floating collections also exists among the interviewed librarians. Another finding is that literature mediation and collection development are working tasks that are influenced by floating collections. The study also indicates that the librarian role as a literature mediator and the role as a librarian that puts the user first are threatened as the marketing role and the role as a mediator of technical knowledge dominate when floating collection is practiced as a media strategy.