Collaboration with a focus on reading: “A question of democracy”

Norrbotten may be a large county. But that doesn't stop the municipalities from collaborating. Proof of that is the collaboration that exists between the 14 public libraries, with the Regional Library as a hub. A collaboration that is now celebrating ten years.

Birgitta Markusson thinks for a moment. Then she says:

– Majgull Axelsson is an incredibly skilled writer. Right now I'm reading her "Svalors flykt".

Birgitta is the Regional Library Manager in Norrbotten and the question she just answered is whether she has a favorite author or favorite book.

– I'm very much here and now, so right now she's my favorite, she says and laughs.

Library collaboration celebrates ten years

We are sitting in an office room at the top of Kulturens hus. This is where the Regional Library, with its ten employees, is located. Next to Birgitta is her colleague Christina Stålnacke.

– I'm currently reading Stockholmssviten by Per Anders Fogelström. It's one of the best things I've read in a long time, I'm really getting into it, she says in response to the same question.

Christina is the coordinator of the regional library collaboration that is celebrating ten years, and which we are here to talk about.

The regional library operation in Norrbotten has existed for a long time, but it has looked a little different over the years. Around 2010 it became part of Region Norrbotten, and since then the collaboration with and between all the municipalities in the county has become increasingly frequent. All the while, with the Regional Library as the spider in the web.

– We are not a traditional library with books, but part of our mission is to support the development of public libraries, says Birgitta and adds:

– And we also run the website Polarbibblo.se, which is a national library service for children.

Should promote reading

It was ten years ago that the municipalities decided that the 14 public libraries in Norrbotten would have a joint system operation, which means, among other things, that Norrbotten residents can borrow books and other media from another public library in the region, and then return them wherever they want.

The collaboration between public libraries is a joy for all library visitors in Norrbotten, but few know about the work behind it.

The 14 public libraries share resources and knowledge with each other, all to promote reading throughout the county and offer digital library services.

– This probably means the most in the smaller municipalities, where there may not be a wide range of library skills or the same personnel resources. The collaboration will be a support, especially when it comes to library computer systems and catalog issues, says Christina Stålnacke.

Birgitta Markusson tells more about the collaboration:

– There is a clear profile, with joint digital services via Bibblo.se. The purpose and origin of the collaboration was that we saw the advantages of 14 municipalities not having to “run” their own systems and make their own procurements. Now we do it together instead, so you could say that the Regional Library functions as a coordination and management resource.

“A million media”

Christina and Birgitta show off some of the marketing that has been developed around the collaboration, which is also called “The Libraries of Norrbotten”. Signs, flyers and banners are on the table where we are sitting. A clear slogan recurs: “One library. Over a million benefits”.

– Thanks to the collaboration, the people of Norrbotten have access to over a million media outlets. Geography is not an obstacle, says Birgitta.

Birgitta Markusson, director of the Regional Library, shows examples of the joint graphic profile. Christina Stålnacke (on the right) is the coordinator of the collaboration.

Is this collaboration unique to Norrbotten?

– There are some regions that collaborate in this way. But what we hear from other parts of the country is that they do not have as deep an organization as we do, well-organized if we may boast a little. We have a well-established working method with clear goals for how the collaboration should work, what ideas, questions, contact and communication channels should look like.

Birgitta goes on to talk about how the collaboration works, in practical terms.

– We have an established structure, with a library directors' group that meets six times a year. It includes all public library directors from the various municipalities and then we, the regional library. Then we have other regional steering groups and working groups that work on common development issues and make joint efforts.

Staff and managers at the various public libraries have developed a close relationship with each other thanks to the collaboration, says Christina.

– We meet regularly, even though it is very digital. You feel that you are close to each other and then it is easier to collaborate, reach out with different messages or information. The fact that we know each other so well is a huge advantage of this collaboration.

“Promote a love of reading”

Both are convinced that this collaboration means a lot to the people of Norrbotten, especially considering the regional plan for promoting reading. The regional library works together with the 14 public libraries on joint reading promotion initiatives.

– Learning to read is the school's mission. But ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to read is the public library's mission, and therefore also ours, says Birgitta, and is supported by Christina:

– We will also work to promote a love of reading, and the joy of reading. Perhaps especially among children and young people.

Why is reading so important?

– Partly, it is a question of democracy. That everyone should be able to access information in order to function in a society, says Birgitta and continues:

– It can also be a way to gain understanding for other people, and their lives. But reading is a rather complex concept and there are different ways to read. Not everyone needs to read thick novels or non-fiction books. It's not just about the printed book. It can be about listening to stories or texts of different kinds. There are many paths into reading.

Christina agrees.

– You have to be open about this as a library staff member, but also in school. That you let students read what they want to read. It doesn't have to be a text with a certain number of pages, the main thing is that you find something that you get excited about and find interesting, she says.

Text and photo: Moa Höjer