Is the library a way to support integration? Some immigrant womens views on the public library

The purpose of this masters thesis is to find out whether the library can be a way to support integration. To fulfil this purpose we have, by qualitative interviews, obtained information about eight immigrant womens views on and experiences of the Swedish public library. Through the literature and earlier research we have presented a background of immigrants and integration in Sweden along with factors that may influence the integration process. We have tried to give an insight into what is said about the immigrant woman in research and media, which we think affects her life and we also have given a short introduction to immigrant womens life in Sweden today. Of great interest for our essay have also been the public librarys objectives and social role in society. Against this background we have analysed the answers from our interviews. The results of the interviews show that all the women have used the library in various ways, some of them also beyond the librarys established functions. Most of them still use the library quite often, especially to continue developing their language and for the sake of their children. We conclude from these interviews that the library has had some impact on these womens integration into Swedish society and can be one way to support integration.Uppsatsnivå: