”Jag gör så gott jag kan utifrån dom omständigheterna” : En intervjustudie av folkbiblioteksarbetet under covid-19

Sammanfattning: The aim of this master’s thesis is to develop knowledge on librarians’ perceptions and experiences of working at a public library during the covid-19 pandemic. The lack of research in this area motivates this thesis. Six librarians from four different public libraries in Gothenburg were interviewed through semi-structured interviews. The empirical data was analyzed through a practice theoretical framework comprising three dimensions of practice referred to as the cultural-discursive, the social-political, and the material-economic dimensions. The result of the study shows that the librarians’ perceptions and experiences of working during the pandemic was that it was difficult, challenging, and that it contributed new knowledge. The difficulties and challenges are based on the fact that the librarians, due to the restrictions, no longer can help the visitors like they used to. In addition, the library as an open space is no longer available for the visitors, which is a problem since many people rely on the libraries offering computers and a place where one can study or just spend time. To be forced to deny the visitors help is the biggest difference according to the librarians. Further, the result shows that the pandemic enabled new ways of working and contributed to highlight the importance of public libraries.