The opinion of the music business regarding the public libraries. An actor to be counted?

This thesis explores the opinion of different participants in the music business regarding music being made available at the public libraries. The aim of the thesis is to answer the following questions; which are the most important issues concerning the distribution of music? How do the informants perceive the public libraries mission and activity in regard to make recorded music available? Which are the benefits/disadvantages with music being made available at public libraries? Seven qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from the following organisations; SKAP (The Swedish Society of Popular Music Composers), FST (Society of Swedish Composers), SAMI (Swedish Artists and Musicians Interest Organisation) SMF (The Swedish Society of Musicians), SOM (Swedish Independent Musicproducers), IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) and EMI Music Sweden. A study of literature and articles generated nine themes, which constitutes the frame of reference for the thesis. The result shows that several of the informants have not reflected upon the public library as an important actor when it comes to the distribution of music. However, during the interviews many interesting thoughts and ideas were discussed. One of the most important roles of the public library is to inform and supply information about music, according to the respondents. The importance of the public library can be expressed in two dimensions, the local distribution of music and for supporting local cultural activities, but the public library needs to make efforts on a national level to become a more well known actor when it comes to matters concerning music.Uppsatsnivå: