Libraries and Integration : A discourse analysis of Swedish media coverage of the public libraries integration work during the years 2012-2020

Introduction. The study investigates how public libraries integration work was covered in the Swedish daily press during 2012-2020. The aim was to identify prevailing discourses, how they changed over time and how this can be understood in relation to bigger social changes. Method. A total of 114 articles, from two full-text databases, was analysed. The material was divided into three time periods, with the intention to be able to identify changes over time. The periods were picked as a point of comparison to the refugee crisis, based on previous research showing how the event affected migration and integration in Sweden. Analysis. A qualitative discourse analysis was carried out. The material was analysed from the perspective of the library’s activities, the visitors and the relation between integration and the libraries other area of responsibility. Results. Two primarily practices were identified: the library as a place for language training and as a meeting place. The process of integration was portrayed as a meeting between native Swedish speakers and newly arrived swedes, where the library filled the roll as an enabler. This was sometimes seen as a new area of responsibility for the library, resulting in new qualifications needed for the librarians. Conclusion. A total of four discourses where identified: 1) the meeting place discourse, 2) the language discourse, 3) the collections discourse and 4) the societal discourse. The study shows an increasing criticism for the integration work, based on other rival discourses. The study points to a discrepancy between the library and the public’s understanding on the purpose of libraries, which can be seen as a threat to libraries legitimacy in society. The study suggest that libraries should take a more active role in the media to shape the public understanding of their performed work. This is a two years master’s thesis in Library and Information Science