Language policy in Swedish public libraries : Three case studies from a broad perspective

This thesis explores the language policy of public libraries in Sweden, both in terms of description and motivation. It does so through three case studies conducted in the public libraries in three cities: Helsingborg, Umeå, and Uppsala. The material consists of three parts: interviews with a librarian in each city, observations of the linguistic landscape in the city’s main public library, and the municipality library plan. The method of analysis is qualitative thematic analysis, and the study is approached from a historical-structural theoretical standpoint. Largely, the language policy of the public libraries mirrors that of Swedish society. Unsurprisingly, the Swedish language dominates. The English language is also present to a large degree. Other present languages are mainly the national minority languages and the major immigrant languages. Their presence varies between the libraries. English is used more, including in practical matters, while other languages’ presence is mainly symbolic. The libraries’ operational work largely revolves around prestige planning and is centred on groups rather than languages themselves. There are common themes between the libraries, mainly that the languages offered are based on demand, the premise that the prioritised groups should be made visible, and that children and young people are a priority, particularly regarding language acquisition. Another common theme is difficulties involved in and practical considerations when working with languages other than Swedish. The public libraries are to work for the prioritised groups in the Swedish library act, and this largely motivates their language policies. However, the library act is unclear as to how they should be supported apart from that literature should be provided in their languages. This uncertainty is also reflected in the library plans and in turn in how the libraries structure their work differently. This is a two years master’s thesis in Library and Information Science.