The progressive library : the left wing movement in the library debate 1965-75

The aim of the thesis is to examine the Swedish publiclibrary-debate between 1965 and 1975, with a focus on theinfluence of the New Left movement. The empirical materialconsists of articles from two library journals, and is studiedwith the intent to achieve knowledge of the library ideologyexpressed in context of the socialist movements of the 1960sand 70s. The method used is ideology analysis. Threedifferent areas of debate have been included in the study:issues pertaining to library holdings, problems concerning theworkplace and social and outreach activities.Some of the salient and key ideas that often recurs in thematerial touch upon the dangers of mass market literature, thenecessity for an expanded workplace democracy, theimportance of social work and the need for a more politicallyactive library. The bureaucracy, centralism and authoritariantendencies in the library world are criticized, as well as thenotion that the library should remain a politically neutralinstitution. The need to create a library that can serve as asanctuary from commercial forces is also underlined, as wellas the problem with bourgeois high culture alienating users.Overall the left-leaning debate tends to be formulatedpolemically, and reflect an ongoing generational conflict witha strong criticism of the library world’s upper hierarchy.Program: Bibliotekari