Skolbibliotekets betydelse ur ett elevperspektiv
The purpose of this Master?s thesis is to examine what the data from recent Library- and Information Science studies tell us about the importance of school libraries in a student perspective. Our theoretical framework is built upon Elisabeth Tallaksen Rafste?s concept about the values of school libraries to students. Our aim is to investigate how students between the ages of 15 and 18 use and experience school library. The method used was a literature study where we collected the students? experiences of their school library from the data parts in our sources. Our sources consist of Master?s theses from the years 1998 to 2006. The study shows that the students? use of school library is closely linked to the resources spent on it. School libraries with limited operating hours are typically used as a resource for tuition-related purposes only: a place for work and book-borrowing. However, in school libraries with generous operating hours, in addition to spending more time there, pupils also used the library space for leisure related purposes. The use of it as a social meeting place was more common in schools that lacked common rooms. Available common rooms made school library more work- and education oriented. The librarian was of great importance to the students as a resource for all kinds of information related questions and for creating a study enabling environment by maintaining peace and quiet. In conclusion, the use of school library depends on the resources spent on the library. Generous operating hours, good stock and manning will result in wider use of library facilities and resources, while students will appreciate its existence to a greater extent.