Den är ju liksom tuggad någon annanstans: Barnbibliotekariers upplevelser av barns och ungdomars ålagda frågor under referensintervjun

Abstract

The purpose of my Masters thesis is to investigate how childrens librarians in public libraries perceive and meet imposed queries during the reference interview with children and young people. What do childrens librarians think about imposed queries from children and young people? What problems can arise during a reference interview with children and young people, and what strategies can be used to solve them? How can childrens librarians prepare for imposed queries from children and young people that have arisen in school related situations? The study was carried out at public libraries in Sweden. In the review of the literature results from prior research and other relevant material are presented. The theoretical framework includes a communication model on imposed queries developed by Gross, and two other models Levels of Mediation and Zone of Intervention, developed by Kuhlthau. Qualitative interviews were undertaken with six childrens librarians and analysed through five different perspectives. From the conclusions one can see that the childrens librarians have diverse opinions about childrens and young peoples imposed queries. It is found that school related queries are the most common type of reference issue. For developing methods of support cooperation between the public library and the school plays a decisive role.