”Vi är 100% med i klimatmarschen” : en kvalitativ studie om miljöstyrda praktiker på svenska folkbibliotek

Sammanfattning: This thesis explores on climate practices in public libraries. By mapping internal and user-oriented practices in Swedish public libraries, this study has a two-fold purpose; to understand how libraries engage with environmental and climate issues, and to gain a better understanding of how public libraries perceive their role in contributing to Sweden's climate work. Nine qualitative interviews were conducted with public library employees in three different municipalities. The data collected during these interviews were then analyzed thematically. In addition to this, a content analysis has been performed on policy document. Practice theory has been used as the framework in the analysis. The theoretical process follows the two analytical steps zooming in and zooming out.  The analysis shows that the main internal practices that are performed in the libraries involve recycling and usage of environmentally friendly materials. The practice of conscious energy consumption is performed to a lesser degree, and there is often a lack of education regarding climate and sustainability. User-oriented practices primarily involve program activities, collaborations and information intermediation on environmental and climate issues. Communication concerning environmental and climate issues is not particularly present in the interaction between colleagues or the library plans. The libraries that work more actively with climate practices often depend on employee’s own commitment. In conclusion, the study shows that Swedish public libraries work with climate practices to a certain extent. There are apparent limitations regarding internal logistics and climate issues as a perspective is not prioritized in the work practices. At the same time, there is nothing that speaks against the further development of green and sustainable libraries in Sweden. This is partly due to the individual interest of employees in actualizing and making environmental and climate issues visible and the fact that this is a growing research area. This is a two years master’s thesis in Library and Information Science.