The public library in times of change : a narrative analysis

The purpose of this study is to penetrate how democracy in the public library is perceived, and in which context. Also the question of how the public library is legitimized, and in which context this is addressed. These two questions are then related to Bibliotekslagen §2. The focus for the study are texts written during the pandemic, and until after the war in Ukraine began. Trough narrative analysis, the texts are interpreted in the light of new institutional theory. Six main narratives with underlying narratives are found, and one narrative that goes across all other narratives. The narratives are 1) the public library in crisis or war 2) the public library and democracy 3) the public library and the municipally 4) the public library as the meeting place of the society 5) the public library and the librarians 6) the public library and communication. The narrative of the public library’s mission and supply of activities is a narrative found that goes across all other narratives. All narratives show discrepancies in the opinions that are found in the texts. This shows the challenges the public library faces in times of change