Mellan bokhyllorna och behoven: En studie om bibliotekens kognitiva tillgänglighet ur personalens perspektiv
2025 (Swedish)Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesisAlternative title
Between the bookshelves and the needs : A study of cognitive accessibility in libraries from the perspective of the library staff (English)
Abstract [en]
Cognitive accessibility in libraries has gained increased attention in recent years. Despite this, there is still a significant lack of research in the field. The purpose of this thesis is to gain knowledge about how Swedish public libraries, based on library staff’s perceptions of the conditions within their institutions, design and adapt their environment and services, with consideration to users with NPF-diagnosis (approximately equivalent to neurodevelopmental disorder, neuropsychiatric disability or neurodivergence). An additional aim of the thesis is to provide insight into the obstacles that library staff perceive as affecting their work with the target group. The empirical data was collected through an online survey that received 275 responses, and the analysis employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. The theoretical framework used was the four spaces-model, developed by Henrik Jochumsen, Casper Hvenegaard Rasmussen, and Dorte Skot-Hansen. The findings indicate that library staff consider their facilities inadequately suited to the needs of the target group. Furthermore, the different program activities that are organised by the libraries are also generally not perceived as suited for the targeted group. Additionally, the study shows that library staff perceive external obstacles as affecting their ability to provide a cognitively accessible library. Time constraints, insufficient training, and limited financial resources are some of the significant challenges. The conclusion of the study is that library staff need to expand their knowledge about, and develop a partnership with, the targeted group, so that they can further develop the accessibility within the public libraries.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2025.
Keywords [sv]
Kognitiva funktionsnedsättningar, neuropsykiatriska funktionsnedsättningar, funktionsnedsättningar, folkbibliotek, tillgänglighet, kognitiv tillgänglighet, bibliotekarier
National Category
Information Studies
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-34102OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hb-34102DiVA, id: diva2:1990611
2025-09-022025-08-202025-09-24Bibliographically approved