Using new institutional theory and discourse theory this article discusses different norms and values that may affect the encounter between the public library and the user. It also focuses on problemising what characterizes this encounter. The background to why I find these questions important to discuss is that they are related to my research project in which I plan to study the picture of public libraries as it is reproduced in mass media. What norms the institution holds may affect that picture but also the other way around- the picture of public libraries in mass media may have an impact on institutional norms. The discussions in the article shows that institutional norms regulate the behaviors of both librarians and users, not least in the way users are categorized and talked about by the institution as well as in Library and Information Science.

Planning and evaluation has become increasingly important within the Swedish public library sphere. The aim of this article is to problematize the libraries’ (the Royal Library, the regional libraries and the public libraries) task to evaluate the design and use of ‘library plans’. The task will be described in relation to the development of the Swedish library legislation and the evolution of library plans as an administrative phenomenon. The analytical focus in the article is the concept of use as applied in government practice and library practice. The empirical material consists of documents reflecting the enforcement of use of plans and evaluation of use of plans, and of qualitative interviews with library staff reflecting plans in library practice. The analysis shows how government practice in combination with library practice creates an administrative habit regarding the use, and evaluation of use of plans. Nonetheless the government practice has the first word in deciding which concepts should dominate the library administration. In the concluding discussion we argue the current library administration – and the concepts such as plans, use of plans and plan evaluation, dominating that administration – might be altered if there would be alternatives to the current administrative trends with strong influences from market economy logics.

This article reports on an empirical study of children's librarians' activities supporting the development of literacy among very young children. The theoretical framework stems primarily from a LIS practice-theoretical perspective where literacy is viewed as corporeal practice. The empirical material consists of a transcript from one focus-group interview with seven children's librarians, and field notes from a series of seven documented observations of program sessions at three public libraries in Sweden. A qualitative content analysis was undertaken, and the empirical material was interpreted with an analytical focus on the concepts of literacy activities, embodiment, and literacy practices. The study shows how bodies act as sites of information and communication. Not only the bodies of the librarians but also the bodies of parents and the children acted as central sites, affecting literacy practices during library programs. The librarians express that their engagement in professional practice has resulted in a certain bodily sense for finding the right level of communicating with babies. The librarians have also learned to trust this embodied judgement as part of their professional expertise.

Introduction. This paper reports an empirical study on Swedish children’s librarians’ shaping of professional identity, as it emerges from the participants’ statements about their work with storytime activities and the competences required. Method. The empirical material consists of a transcript from one focus group interview with eight children’s librarians. Analysis. A discursively oriented text analysis was conducted. The transcript was initially examined in terms of the explicit contents of the participants’ statements. It was then interpreted further with an analytical focus on the concepts of professional identity and key narratives. Results. The analysis indicates both shared and conflicting ideas concerning work methods and competencies that define and legitimise librarians’ storytime sessions. In discussing competences, the librarians’ point out inter-professional relations, especially to teachers, as important aspects of identity shaping. A key narrative unfolds, with the library presented as an enclosed, magical space. Conclusions. Storytime is a debated object of professional expertise. There is a lack of a specialist terminology for storytime activities, which may counteract the professional knowledge claims of this female-intensive group. The professional identity of children’s librarians appears multifaceted and somewhat vague and thus calls for further investigation.

På institutionen för ABM i Uppsala har en försöksverksamhet med olika former av nätbaserad undervisning bedrivits. På både campus- och distansutbildning har vi med fokus på ett mer kommunikativt lärande prövat nya sätt att genomföra seminariediskussioner, övningar och examinationsuppgifter. Våra erfarenheter är överlag positiva och undervisningen präglas nu i högre grad än tidigare av tvåvägskommunikation. En viktig lärdom vi dragit är att inte låta oss styras av tekniken allt för mycket. Avgörande för valet av seminarieform och kommunikationsmedel måste vara det pedagogiska syftet med undervisningen.

Introduction.This paper reports on a small-scale empirical study of Swedish elderly citizens, focusing on their everyday use of literature, provided by public library outreach services.

Methods. Empirical data was gathered by telephone interviews with six elderly citizens - four women and two men.

Analysis. A qualitatively oriented text analysis was conducted. The transcripts were interpreted through an analytical framework based on the concepts reading experience, social inclusion and identity-shaping.

Results. The participants’ articulated reading experiences show that reading provides opportunities for both escapism and intellectual stimulation. High quality service and literature is expected and much appreciated.

Conclusion. The analysis indicates that the outreach service in focus serves both as a practical link between the library’s collection and the patrons, and as a social link connecting the elderly to society at large. The service plays a crucial role for the ability of the elderly in shaping and upholding their identities as readers.