The role of the library is changing to meet the demands of a technology-driven society. Yet the impact of new media, such as e-books, has not always been viewed favourably. The aim of this thesis has been to map the debate that took place between 2010 and 2015 concerning the status of e-books within the public library system. The study focused on several key areas: attitudes expressed within Swedish library press; the issues raised within discussions; aspirations and concerns of participants; and how opinions changed over time. The 99 issues of Biblioteksbladet, Biblioteket i Samhälle, and Framsidan published during the years of study constituted the source material. Computerised content analysis targeted keywords: e-, elektronisk, and digital. Results were logged chronologically, and coded to record any opinion expressed in relation to e-books: either positive, negative, or neutral. Raw data analysis was enhanced by the critical theories of LIS-professor Kristen Drotner. Her concept of media panic describes the emotional reactions professionals experience in response to new forms of media and technology. This was used to assess whether criticisms of the new medium were part of an emotional response. The results of our analysis suggest a cycle of debate that only partially fit Drotner's concept of media panic: initial discussions focused on technical considerations, the debate intensified and moved to economic concerns and the changing role of the library as the rate of e-book loans proliferated. The final years of study were characterised by calls for national co-operation regarding the implementation of e-books.