Nordic Research School in Library and Information Science

Public libraries and the nordic welfare state – the changing role of public libraries

NORSLIS course on public library research in Uppsala September 29 - October 3, 2008

Coursematerial

Purpose of the course
Social changes, for example related to the growth of the multicultural society, technological changes related to digitization and ideological changes related to liberalism and increased reliance on market solutions affect public libraries fundamentally. Research and research based reflection are necessary to elicit the role and potential of public libraries in these rapidly changing environments. The purpose of the course is to present and discuss theoretical and methodological approaches for studying the role of public libraries, to present findings from ongoing research and to contribute in creating a fruitful and inspiring research environment for Nordic-Baltic PhD-students in the field.

Doctoral research courses and workshops have proven to be excellent means for sharing the Nordic mentoring expertise and creating contacts between doctoral students and senior researchers. Thus, an important goal of the research course is to provide the doctoral students with a forum in which to present their research projects and to discuss public library research issues with senior researchers and fellow students.

The research course will be based upon:
• lectures given by senior researchers
• introducing aspects of and approaches to research on the role of public librares in an historical as well as a contemporary perspective
• presentations of research projects by the research students
• a panel discussion

There will be invited a number of Nordic and international senior researchers to give lectures on different aspects. The lecturers involved have recent experiences in research on the role of public libraries. A required reading list will be sent to participants with the note of acceptance.

Content
Among the topics to be dealt with, are:
• The roots of Nordic public librarianship.
• Is there a Nordic public library model?
• Public libraries as learning arenas in contemporary society
• Public libraries as meeting places in the digital and multicultural society
• Public libraries and social capital
• The effects of developments and changes in the welfare state on toe role of public libraries
• The value of public libraries
• Theoretical and methodological approaches.

PhD-students at different stages in their research are invited to present papers that will be discussed with fellow students. Senior Researchers will be available for comments and tutoring.

Target audience
The course is primarily intended for PhD students within the NORSLIS network. Provided there is room for more participants, the course will also be open for PhD students from adjacent fields or other LIS departments, as well as senior researchers from NORSLIS and other LIS departments. However, only NORSLIS doctoral students are eligible for NORSLIS travel and accommodation grants.

Time
2008, September 29 – October 3.

Main responsible person
Associate professor Kerstin Rydbeck, Uppsala University
http://www.abm.uu.se

Professor Ragnar Audunsson, Oslo University College
http://www.hio.no/enheter/avdeling_for_journalistikk_bibliotek_og_informasjonsfag

Lecturers
Professor Michael Buckland
Professor Ragnar Audunson
Associate professor Kerstin Rydbeck
and others

Location
Dept of ALM, Uppsala University
Box 625, SE-751 26 Uppsala, Sweden
Visiting address: Engelska parken, Humanistiskt centrum.
Thunbergsvägen 3H, Uppsala
Phone: +4618-471 79 78
Fax: +4618-471 15 89
http://www.abm.uu.se

Accommodation
To be announced.

Application deadline
2008, August 20.

Credits:
NORSLIS recommends 5 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) but final credits are decided by the person in charge of the local Ph.D. program.

How to apply
Applications must be sent to Kerstin Rydbeck.
The application must contain the following information:
Name of course:
Last name:
First name:
Birth date:
Male/female:
E-mail address:
Estimated travel costs:
Name of supervisor:
Supervisor's e-mail address:

Reimbursement of travel and accomodation costs