Bibliotek i kristider : Perioden 1930-1945

Sammanfattning: In 1930 a new library reform came into force, which in reality was the beginning of the modern Swedish library. The purpose of this reform was to take measures to promote efficiency, for example to increase library co-operation. The Government grants were at the same time raised considerably. However, as early as in 1930, but especially the following year, the depression hit Sweden. The Government reduced the grants until the first half of 1936. At the same time lending of books increased substantially. As a result of the depression and the unemployment, people had more time for reading and studying. When the economic situation improved again, it led to a downward trend in book lending, but by the time that the Second World War broke out and until 1942, the trend turned upward again. During the 1920s and the 30s an international collaboration had started developing, but because of the war, Sweden was isolated from the world around. As a consequence it was not possible to arrange Nordic library meetings, as had been done before. In the magazine of Swedish Library Association, "Biblioteksbladet", several books were reviewed which conveyed a constructive attitude towards the German National Socialism. However, there were no signs of sharing these values among the reviewers. Books dealing with anti-Semitism and the situation of Jews were also reviewed in "Biblioteksbladet". Even before the war there were reports on the persecutions of Jews. At that time, they were received with a certain scepticism, but in the final stage of the war people became upset and did not distrust the reports any more.