The aim of this bachelor thesis was to investigate how librarians at Swedish public libraries handle purchase proposals from patrons. The thoughts and reflections on intellectual freedom in relation to selection, quality and the issues the librarians face in this process was studied through semi-structured interviews with six librarians responsible for acquiring purchase proposals. The theoretical framework was based on Emily Knox’s practical philosophy for librarianship, consisting of codification, institutionalization, and investigation. The method of qualitative content analysis was used and four themes have been identified: user influence, regulatory documents, problematic purchase proposals, and selection methods. 

The results show that librarians value intellectual freedom and democracy higher than literary or research quality. Censorship is something that they work against, as controversial subjects with which the librarians or the community do not agree are still acquired granted the content is not illegal in any way. Two reports investigated by the judicial authority (Justitieombudsmannen) have changed the way librarians handle problematic purchase proposals. These reports precipitated the need for local media policies and plans that guide librarians in the selection process. No public library can or should stock everything, but the mission is to ensure that the public library is for everyone. Most purchase proposals are acquired and by selecting media that is uncomfortable for some patrons, or even for a democracy, librarians uphold intellectual freedom.