Aktörer och strukturer : en studie av Karlstads stadsbiblioteks framväxt

Sammanfattning: The aim of this thesis is to examine the underlying causes for the opening of Karlstad Public Library. In doing so a theory based on the actor/structure model within social theory is used. The structures and actors are intertwined and therefore need to be analysed together. To do so the theory poses a series of questions that needs to be answered. The method used is document analysis. The source material used derives mainly from the municipal archive of Karlstad. As a background and to gain a greater understanding of the process which led to the opening of libraries I describe the general library development in Sweden during the late 19th century and early 20th century. I also describe the societal development in Sweden during this period. The questions earlier posed in the theoretical segment are answered in the result. The economical, political and social structures at the time as well as the actors and their motives for acting are presented. The conclusion of the study shows that the rapid changes of structures led to increased openness towards trying new solutions for the new problems that society was facing at the time. As a part of the actors’ commitment to adult education they acted to achieve a public library. Due to changes in rules concerning grants for adult lecture associations (föreläsningsanstalter) the collaboration with a library to obtain government grants was now important. These were the underlying causes which led to the opening of Karlstad Public Library.