The aim of this thesis is to examine the current situation in regards of librarian - patron conflict at Swedish public libraries. The Swedish library law requires libraries to be open and provide information for all people. But with this open-door-policy the people working at the library are vulnerable to potential threats and violence from the public.

Face-to-face interviews were conducted with six librarians at three different libraries in the Västra Götaland region. The questions asked during the interviews regarded what kind of conflicts took place at the libraries and what safety precautions the libraries had to handle conflicts.

Repeated themes could be noticed at all the libraries that participated in the research. The two most notable groups that could be identified as “problem groups” were young people and disadvantaged groups. The size and the budget of the library had a significant effect regarding what kind of security services could be purchased.

The findings of this research showed that the libraries have several safety precautions in place already. Even with regards to budget cuttings there were other ways the libraries worked to guarantee the safety of its employees.