Hej bokbussen! : Bokbussens roller i Västerås

Sammanfattning: The aim of this bachelor's thesis is to examine the roles of the mobile library in Västerås municipality in Sweden. The purpose is to gain understanding about the mobile library and its place in the local public library operation. The theoretical framework is the model for analysis of the local public library profile, produced by Marianne Andersson and Dorte Skot-Hansen. Qualitative interviews are put in comparison with the four overlapping categories included in said model: the role as a cultural centre, knowledge centre, information centre and social centre. The results show that each of the four roles was recognized to some degree, though the roles as cultural centre and social centre were somewhat prominent. The respondents mainly highlighted the lack of information technology and the limited physical space as the major holdbacks for development opportunities in all categories. The findings are discussed along with their relations to national and local policy documents.