Folkbiblioteks och släktforskarföreningars stöd i släktforskares egen forskning sett ur ett självstudieperspektiv
The purpose of this thesis is, from a self directed learning perspective, to investigate the support of public libraries and genealogy associations of genealogists' own research, i.e. their search for ancestors as well as their possibilities to broaden their history outlook. Accordingly, five public librarians and five genealogy representatives in the west of Sweden have been interviewed regarding the support that can be offered to genealogists. The investigated support to genealogists in their own research is about working environment, literature and material, activities and the cooperation between public libraries and genealogy associations. In this thesis conclusions are merely drawn from a self-directed learning perspective, a perspective where also different forms of support are being recommended by scientists. The study shows that the public libraries offer a working environment with the necessary equipment and other means of assistance which leads to time saved for genealogists. Besides, the thesis shows how the public libraries provide information, rather than give advice regarding literature and material, while the support of the genealogy associations involves advice as well as information. The genealogy associations offer more activities than the public libraries which, from a self directed learning perspective, increases the possibility for genealogists to learn more efficiently. Through activities, and the above mentioned cooperation, genealogists are being offered different supporting persons, such as the librarians and the representatives of the genealogy associations.