Research project Public libraries as democratic arenas for participation in society
The project focuses on the practiced language policies of two public libraries with the mandate to promote linguistic diversity and inclusion.
Project description
According to the Libraries Act, public libraries in Sweden must be accessible to everyone and the public must be able to borrow literature free of charge. People who speak another language than Swedish, are one of the prioritized target groups. According to the law, libraries also must work for the development of democratic society and contribute to knowledge transfer.
In this research project, we examine public libraries as a democratic arena for participation in society, and the libraries' multilingualism policy. More specifically, we focus on the practiced language policy. We start from a public library in an suburban context with a high proportion of foreign-born residents, and who has a mandate to promote linguistic diversity and inclusion.
The purpose of the project is to contribute new knowledge about what can characterize such a practiced language policy. We also try to find an answer of how it relates to a diversity of expression, formation and participation in society.
Project members
Project managers
Christina Hedman
Professor
Ulrika Magnusson
Senior lecturer, Associate professor
