The role of e-media in the public library : A quantitative study about the access to databases and e-media in southwestern Sweden

The digital era has in many ways transformed the role of the public library. Today it is possible for the public to access e-media without entering a physical library building. In that context, the aim with this study is to examine the access and supply of e-media at public libraries in 76 different counties in southwestern Sweden and if librarians think it is possible for a national library service that distributes e-media to increase access to the format. In this study Buckland's theory of access and quantitative methods were used. The official statistics from the Royal library in Sweden were used as secondary data to show the exact number of e-audiobooks, e-books and databases available at the public library in every county. A survey was used to collect primary data about librarians' opinions about e-media and a national library service regarding e-media. The survey was distributed to the main libraries in the 76 counties. The results demonstrate that the access and supply of e-media differ depending on which county you live in, which can increase the knowledge gap and the social divide. It was especially Buckland's fourth aspect: the cost of the provider that influenced the public libraries supply of e-media. The survey showed that a majority of the librarians were optimistic about a national library service for distributing e-media and 91 percent thought it could increase access to the format. This study also concludes that the Swedish library law does not seem to apply to e-media