Collectors, collections and collectives : a study of three libraries in Stockholm managed by civil society organisations

By combining the methods interviews, direct collections analysis and photography this thesis examines libraries owned and managed by civil society associations in Stockholm. Världsbiblioteket, Cyklopenbiblioteket and S:t Matteus parish library were studied between February and April in 2025. The scope of research is delimited to the library collections and the people managing the libraries. The material is analyzed thematically. Each librarys local knowledge organisation system is examined, with certain focus on shelving and routing management. Grøn and Kloster Grams theoretical model of deltagelsens paradox (the paradox of participation) is applied, to discuss to what extent library collections and literature are the focus of activities in the library space. Motivations and ideas of the people managing the libraries are considered as well, to highlight what aspects of the library were important to them. This is discussed through Michnik´s six perspectives on libraries, presented in the text “Vad är ett bibliotek? Biblioteket som begrepp”. The aim of the study is to gain insights about the use of books and libraries among contemporary civil society associations and social movements. Key research findings include that each library applied alternative shelving systems, and that the libraries in terms of library space were important. Another significant aspect is how the purposes and idéas of the library varied among interviewees. The library was discussed either as a tool for spreading and exchanging knowledge, a space and a way of communal sharing of books and texts, or as a way to collect and make literary cultural heritage accessible.