Mer än bara fjärrlån? en kvalitativ studie om hur bibliotekarier vid Lunds universitets bibliotek ser på sitt arbete med forskarstöd

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this master's thesis is twofold. Firstly, the purpose is to illuminate how librarians at seven different faculties at the Lund University Libraries define their supportive work towards scientists. Secondly, the purpose is to show in which ways the librarians' work affect the learning and identity of the librarians as well as how this work is influenced by the epistemic cultures of the scientists. The study was carried out in the form of qualitative interviews and based mainly on the theoretical viewpoints regarding epistemic cultures stipulated by Karin Knorr Cetina and the theory on identity and learning as formulated by Kåre Heggen. The research is placed in the context of the political and economic conditions concerning research and higher educating system in general and particularly in the context of these conditions for the Lund University Libraries. Due to the qualitative method chosen the results can not be readily generalized but the conclusions suggest two parallel definitions regarding supportive work: one broader definition and one more specific definition which depends on both the culture of the faculties and the traditions of the scientific disciplines of the scientists. The changes that have taken place in recent decades (e.g. the world wide web, the e- and the open movements) have put great pressure on the scientists as well as the librarians working towards them. How the librarians support scientists also depend on the different epistemic culture of the scientist. Further, the results suggest that the librarians can see themselves as having an important place in research through their supportive work towards scientists, in which their competence in scholarly communication can make a difference.