Democracy, not populism : studying the opinions among a group of young people about the mission of the public library in our changeable time

This study deals with the Swedish public library in our changeable time. New technology, an altered media situation with a growing digitalization, globalization and a society focusing on the individual and the market have put the public library in a new, indistinct position. It is described as facing an identity crisis. The aim of this thesis is to, by interviewing a group of young people ages 15-16, find out what the public library is for this user group and what it ought to be according to them. How do they value the services provided by the public library? Are there services they miss? The thesis also aims at relating the opinions of the young people to earlier research. By using different models discussing the mission of the public library and its function in local society, the opinions of the young people are analyzed. It is shown that the user group values social activism the highest, focusing on the public library´s social responsibility and the importance of including everyone in its activities. The democracy aspect is central for the young people interviewed. It is further shown that the market adaptation of the public library is not embraced by the young people. Neither is the public library in the role as a meeting place. The populist initiative is rejected by the user group and thus, the public library’s populism of our time could be described as misdirected. Instead, more of the public library’s traditional services are inquired for.Uppsatsnivå: