The main purpose of this Master´s thesis is to examine how Swedish librari-ans manage and relate to social problems within the service to young visitors. To reach understanding in this subject, qualitative interviews with six Swedish public librarians have been conducted. As a theoretical framework the ideas of interactions and identity have been used. These concepts together with attitude and behavior, form the theoreti-cal model upon which the analysis of the material is based. The outcome of the study shows that social problems exists and affect the library staff’s daily work. Some even compare their work with that of social workers. Another identity that emerges through the analysis is the parental identity that can occur in the meeting with young visitors. In the informants attitude there is a strong desire to treat everyone equally and with re-spect. Another common attitude among the informants is the wish to offer a safe and comfortable environment for the visitors. At the same time, a certain disagreement is visible considering the tolerance of disturbance in the library. The result also shows that the interviewees greatly value the relation skills of their professional identity. However, preparation and experience is revealed as being crucial for the way librarians handle social situations. The results of the thesis indicate that the informants rely heavily on their own personality in their management of social problems. Furthermore, a well-used strategy is proved to be paying every visitor attention. This approach is believed among the informants to create positive and favourable relations. / Program: Bibliotekarie

A substantial part of the work conducted by librarians today involves keeping up to date with current trends. This is particularly important in collection management and literature procurement. Though young adults in Sweden have previously been found to read less with worsening reading comprehension, a recent study suggests that their reading habits are changing. Young adults now read more, and it is increasingly popular to read literature in English. The aim of this master’s thesis is to study how a changed reading behaviour in Swedish young adults could influence the work of youth librarians’ collection management and literature procurement. Empirical data was produced through a survey that was sent to all public libraries in Sweden. The data was analysed by employing Bates’ (2002) model of different information seeking modes as well as McKenzie’s (2003) information practice by proxy. The concept of Wyatt’s (2014) model of selection cycle was used to analyse and discuss the findings. The result of the study shows that most youth librarians use information seeking monthly to keep up to date with literature. The librarians are likely to use information seeking to keep up to date with literature more often if they have noticed this recent change in young adults’ reading behaviour. Above all, how librarians use social media and interact with the public is significantly impacted by whether or not librarians have perceived a change in the reading trends.

This study aims to deepen the understanding of how youth librarians in public and school libraries in Sweden promote reading among young people aged 12-25 years. By use of Thorson’s literature-pedagogical strategies, it explores the various perspectives on reading that emerge in these promotional activities and additionally examines the perceptions of librarians regarding their competence and the success of their work. Despite the perceived challenges in engaging the youth, librarians show much creativity and determination in their initiatives. The study is based on a survey distributed to all main public libraries in Sweden, in all 290 libraries, which resulted in 230 answers from librarians working with youths. The study finds that involving the youths in planning, execution, and marketing of reading promotional activities is one of the keys to success. Additionally, building and maintaining relationships are crucial competencies for youth librarians. It also finds that there isn't a single dominant perspective on reading in the reading promotive activities, but rather a combination of them. However, the emancipatory perspective seems to be gaining ground, as several librarians testify that they work extensively with youths' own interests and involvement in projects, which supports such a perspective.