The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the functions of the public library for parents of infants and how they see the ideal library. The research questions are: How do parents of infants use the library and what are their experience of it? What opinions and wishes do parents of infants have regarding the library? How can library services be developed to better match the needs of the parents of infants? The theoretical approach is based on Marianne Andersson and Dorte Skot-Hansen’s model of the public library’s functions and the model of classification by Ellen-Merete Duvold and Gunnar Sæbø. To answer my research questions I have carried out three focus-group interviews with parents of infants. The study revealed that the public library functions as a cultural centre, a social centre, a knowledge centre and, to a certain extent, an information centre for the parents. Baby Story Time and other library programs for infants and parents are examples of a combination of the functions cultural center, social center and knowledge center. These programs also function as information grounds. The parents of infants would like to have a library that is practical, safe and cosy. The programs for infants and parents are popular and there is a need for more of these activities. Evening programs concerning the role of parents could be held at the library. Inviting pregnant women to the library may open possibilities and facilitate greater use. Focus-groups could be held at the library to improve the communication between parents and the library.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:hb-19550 |
| Date | January 2009 |
| Creators | Holmström, Johanna |
| Publisher | Högskolan i Borås, Institutionen Biblioteks- och informationsvetenskap / Bibliotekshögskolan, University of Borås/Swedish School of Library and Information Science (SSLIS) |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | Magisteruppsats i biblioteks- och informationsvetenskap vid institutionen Biblioteks- och informationsvetenskap, 1654-0247 ; 2009:54 |
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