Skolbibliotek och jämställdhet. En intervjustudie på ett mindre antal skolbibliotek
This thesis investigates gender equality at a few Swedish elementary school libraries, and how school librarians at these libraries work with gender equality issues. It is a semi-structured interview study conducted with staff at seven elementary school libraries. Several policy documents state that the school should be a gender-equal environment, but previous research shows that there is still a lack of gender equality, and that staff often treat boys and girls differently. It also shows that boys and girls are often portrayed in a gender-stereotypical way in children?s literature. The theoretical framework consists of a combination of theories on gender equality and gender science based on the work of Eva Mark and Yvonne Hirdman. The empirical material was analysed from both of these perspectives. The results show that most librarians try to some extent to incorporate gender equality issues during book talks, book clubs, and group reading sessions, and try to discuss common gender stereotypes with the students. The librarians show an awareness of the importance of gender equality, but say that they lack the right tools and support from the school management to address these issues in an efficient and professional manner. In order to achieve gender equality in school libraries, there needs to be an overall analysis of both staff and students attitudes towards, and comprehension of, the meaning of gender equality. There is also a need to look at how stereotypical notions of gender influence people's behaviour and opportunities, and what could be done to change these.