En gemensam angelägenhet : universitetsbibliotekariers tankar och uppfattningar om informationsdiskens betydelse

Sammanfattning: The existence and staffing of reference desks in academic libraries has been a topic of debate for at least 30 years. As digital library services have grown in significance, some argue that the physical desk no longer serves the needs and wishes of patrons. The use of the academic librarian behind the desk has also been questioned – studies have shown a gain in efficiency when letting student workers and/or library assistants staff the desk, leaving librarians to their other work tasks. This master thesis aims to put light on the views and thoughts of the librarians, regarding the desk. In focus group interviews, librarians working in two academic libraries in the south of Sweden share their thoughts on what the desk means to them as a group, for learning, for the library ’as place’ and to them as individual librarians. In light of the pandemic, they touch on the future of the reference desk and discuss if and why the desk – and the people staffing it – matters. Using the theoretical frameworks of Wenger’s communities of practice and Star’s and Griesemer’s concept of boundary objects, I analyze their statements. According to my results, the desk offers – like no other place in the library, physical or digital – a chance för librarians to stay in touch with patrons while they continuously develop their librarian skills. It is a place where patrons can get help and guidance from professionals who are trained and interested experts, not only in information seeking and database search, but in service in the broader sense and in how to connect and interact with people. These are values and functions that, in my opinion, are essential for the modern academic library. My conclusion is that one focus in the discussion of the future of the desk needs to be on those values and functions that are at risk of being lost if the desk is removed, or if librarians are removed from the desk.