”Kunskap är ju aldrig tungt att bära” : Samer diskuterar bibliotek

Sammanfattning: Introduction. This study investigates the needs of the Sami people when it comes to the local library and its functions and activities. The Sami are recogniced as the indiginous people of Sweden, and was historically put under the stress of colonisation by the Swedish government, causing a loss of language, culture and ultimatly damaged the feelings of identity in parts of the Sami population. Method. With the help of 3 focus groups made up of members of local Sami associations, this study gathered the opinions of the Sami, when it comes to their local library and what they wish the library would do for them. The discussions were recorded, transcribed and analysed. Results. The Sami had a clear idea of their needs and demands, and could state them clearly. They wished for more litterature in the Sami languages, more litterature with parallel languages: Sami/Swedish side by side to aid in reading, more audio books, more cultural events and a bigger exposure of the Sami to the public. They also wished for activities aimed at the Swedes, to educate them about the history and struggles, life and culture of the Sami. Conclution. The local libraries of Sweden have a big potential to fulfil the needs and wishes of the Sami. They need to consider not only activities aimed directly at the Sami, but to an equal amount activities aimed at the Swedes, to educate them about all things Sami. These educational activities can and should take place in all parts of Sweden, not only in communities with a visible Sami population. This is a two years master’s theses in Library and Information Science.