Öppningar och gränser : en fenomenologisk undersökning av biblioteket som rum och plats

Sammanfattning: The aim of this text is to create a phenomenological understanding of the public library as place and space. Because there is very little written about this subject through this particular perspective, my paper can be seen as a knowledge- theoretical contribution to library- and information science. Through my exploration I emphasize the idea of the subject as embodied and its importance in understanding space. I create a dialogue about space and place, between three phenomenologists - Gaston Bachelard, Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Christian Norberg-Schulz. I relate this discussion to the library by analysing and reflecting over an actual physical library space, namely the childrens’ section of the public library in Simrishamn. This means that my theoretical contribution to some extent, is supplemented empirically. A phenomenological understanding of the library as space and place can work as a basis of how we design and form the library space, but also motivate the importance of explorations of how bodies communicate and interact with space. In this paper I look at openings and boundaries and other spatial relationships, and through a phenomenological lens I explore what importance they can have for spatial practices. Even though I look at the physical design of the childrens’ section I do so through my own lived body and with bodies in mind. Using Merleau-Ponty's view of the lived body I question the division of body and mind that is common in library- and information science and I acknowledge the body as a relevant and important source of knowledge, especially in understanding space and place.