”Det behöver inte vara ’döden, döden, döden’” : En kvalitativ studie om bibliotekariers informationssökning och litteraturval till biblioterapi

Sammanfattning

The aim of this Bachelor's thesis is to explore librarian's information practices connected to bibliotherapy and mechanisms behind their choices of bibliotherapeutic literature. This subject is investigated to increase knowledge about librarian's bibliotherapy work in the context of Swedish libraires. Methodologically, the thesis relies on semi-structured interviews with five librarians and data is analysed using qualitative thematic content analysis. The theoretical framework for analysis consists of Bates's (2002) modes of information seeking, as well as McCarty Hynes and Hynes-Berry's (2012) thematic and stylistic criteria for bibliotherapeutic literature. This study emerges from the perception that librarians face insecurity regarding their role in bibliotherapy. Findings from this study differ from such perceptions; results indicate that librarians as a group feel comfortable in their professional role in bibliotherapy and reduce insecurity by searching information systematically. Previous research concerning Swedish librarians shows that browsing and monitoring are the most common modes of information search, and that little time is available for direct search. However, results from this study emphasizes directed modes of information seeking: “searching” and “monitoring”. When choosing literature, thematic dimensions appeared to be more significant than stylistic aspects. In addition to thematic and stylistic criteria, a new criterion is suggested as to expand the theoretical framework: personal judgement.