This thesis explores how public librarians experience working alongside a library-based social worker (“bibliotekssocionom”). Based on qualitative interviews with librarians at a public library in an urban area the study examines how this collaboration affects librarians’ professional roles, work environments and perceptions of interprofessional cooperation. The analysis is grounded in a phenomenological approach and informed by professional theory.

The findings indicate that the social worker is generally regarded as a valuable source of support when interacting with socially vulnerable visitors. Librarians describe a heightened sense of safety and appreciate having someone to consult in complex or challenging situations. At the same time their own professional tasks and responsibilities remain largely unchanged. In some cases, the role of the social worker is perceived as unclear, which may hinder effective collaboration and reduce the visibility of the social workers’ contributions.

The results highlight how the introduction of a new professional group in the library can promt reflections on role boundaries, status and the core identity of the librarian profession. 

The discussion situates these findings within the broader context of research on public libraries as evolving social spaces and emphasizes the importance of shared structures, communication and mutual understanding for successful cross professional collaboration.