Ordet är fritt : En retorisk analys av intressenters yttranden rörande utkast till Sveriges nationella biblioteksstrategi 2018

Sammanfattning: The aim of this thesis is to determine how the 2018 draft of the first Swedish National Library Strategy was received by the library sphere and its other stakeholders and how their views may have affected the final version of the National Library Strategy published in 2019. To approach the purpose of this investigation a rhetorical analysis of the written comments of the stakeholders have been carried out to examine how they make their arguments and voices heard. The empirical analysis is based on these 83 statements of opinions that were handed in to the National Library of Sweden between May and October 2018. For the first time in Swedish history a National Library Strategy has been formed in attempt to promote cooperation and library development within the public library sphere. To examine the impact of this organizational change the theory of New Public Management has been applied to the study. The result of this thesis shows a varied response to the National Library Strategy draft, with comments on both structure and disposition, language and content. Many appreciate the chance to get involved and use this chance to voice their opinions on matters both small and wide. The response from the stakeholders has also shown a questioning of the form of the National Library Strategy draft as centralizing and governing instead of collaborative and supportive. Earlier research also shows the question to be complex and diverse. This thesis serves as a contribution to the research field on library development, organizational change and cultural policies. This is a two years master’s thesis in Library and Information Science.