Funktionshinder barriär eller genväg till biblioteket? En fallstudie om rörelsehindrades och synskadades biblioteksanvändning
The aim of this Masters thesis is to, from a users perspective, investigate which factors affect the library use for six persons with disabilities or visual handicaps. My method has been a case study and the methods applied are interviews and observation. As a theoretical framework I use Tom Wilsons theories and models about information behaviour and transform them to a model about library use. Answers are sought to the following questions: - What does the library use look like for six persons with disabilities or visually handicaps? - How do they experience the library in their own municipality? - Which factors affect the disabled persons library use and experience of the library? All interviewees showed a very positive attitude towards the library and the majority of them visited the library regularly or received audio books by mail. Most of the people who visited the library on a regular basis found the building functional, airy and easy to orientate oneself in. Negative criticism was given over the toilets for handicapped and the concentration of IT. The library staff and the special services received much praise. Factors that affected the library use of the group in a positive way were the library staff, the special services, interest for reading, the attitude to the library, the need of information and the possibility to have a person who assists at the library. Factors of more negative character were geography, means of communication, the library building and the offer of audio books. In many cases these barriers were overweighed by the positive factors, for example the special services.