Public Libraries Section

Country Report: Sweden 2002

After many year's of discussion Sweden got its first library law in 1996. The law is regarded as very "toothless" and for many different library representatives, it has been a great wish to get a revised and more clear law, particularly with regard to the issue of sanctions for the communities that don't follow the law. But the cultural department hasn't given this issue any priority, so Library Sweden waits and we have no answer when the revision will come.

The library debate during the last years has very much focussed on the issue of cooperation between university- and public libraries, and between smaller libraries in neighboring communities, who will work together in community alliances.

In Härnösand and Gotland we have two good examples of unification of libraries, sambibliotek. But they are so recent, that we don't have any evaluation yet.

The population of the small communities all over Sweden, is reduced during the last decade, due to a lack of children. This together with the age of the library staff today, of which many persons soon will retire who are born in the 1940's, will cause great problem in the future.

It is very difficult to get qualified staff and specialists like librarians to many communities outside the big cities. Many communities are starting to discuss cooperation, regionally or between two neighboring communities, in order to share for example a youth librarian or a mobile.

Some communities are discussing a national cooperation of libraries. The Swedish government subsidizes similar experimental work to promote cooperation between communities.

The libraries position in the communities, has been deeply discussed and investigated in most Swedish communities . The result of this is that the libraries nowadays operate under big boards together with institutions in the field of education, leisure, culture and care. The libraries have been nationalized, while at the same time, they never before had as many visitors and had such an advanced position as nowadays. In today's Sweden the library is the last "open" institution, where everyone is welcome without any demands or membership: you only have to follow the rules and it's for free. The democratic role is very, very important, both as a meeting point and as a channel for equal information in the society.

The libraries in Sweden have by tradition a very strong position, that will continue. At the same time, the librarians haven't caught the possibility to join the democratic discussion: the library has no profile in the daily debate.

The Swedish Library Association has taken a great part in the work with making a "Libraryplan" in all Swedish communities. It's especially important today, because the school library situation is very unequal. According to the school plan the library should be in focus in the schoolwork, especially when the pupils use PBL-learning, which most schools practise in Sweden today. (We hope that we next year can make a longer report on this subject)

The value-added tax on books and magazines has been reduced in Sweden this year. This probably is one of the reasons that a lot more books have been sold during this first 6 months.

How this will reflect on the library loans, we will see in 2003.

One of the great challenges for the Swedish libraries, is how to tempt the youth to choose to work in the libraries, because many of the staff will retire within 10-15 years. All other public services have the same problem. We must have an answer to the question why they should choose to work in the library.