Referenssamtalet med barn
förhållningssätt och bemötande. Fem intervjuer med barnbibliotekarier
The aim of this study was to examine the social relationships between children and librarians during reference interviews. Using qualitative interviews with five children's librarians I illustrate attitudes and behaviours during a reference situation which take place in psychological, social and even in pedagogical contexts. The literature review comprises studies of the reference interview with children and youth, a description of interpersonal communication and finally social interaction and dialog between teachers and pupils. The main result of this study was the demonstration of a dichotomy in modes of interpersonal communication. In one mode, the social frame is emphasized. The librarians work actively and mobile to elicit questions and to create social relationships. They try to form an atmosphere of trust by confirming the child and showing approachability. In the other mode of interaction more traditional roles are played out. The social dimension of the reference interview is not stressed and the main goal is to find the right source or book and the process which the children go through is not engaged. These two contradictory modes form a model of two interaction styles; the active and outgoing and the dominate behaviour.