The library: a place where speech is free 

The library is just dusty old books. Or? No, the library is also a place where everyone has the right to think freely, express their opinions and take part in different perspectives. Through the campaign The Word is Free, the libraries in Norrbotten, Västerbotten and Västernorrland want to highlight the democratic mission of libraries. Something that is stipulated in the Library Act. 

An obvious part of a functioning democracy is the opportunity to seek knowledge, form one's own opinion and encounter ideas other than one's own. Therefore, libraries want to remind us of their role as an open and safe place for everyone, regardless of background or opinion.

During the campaign period, November 17 to December 14, the population of northern Sweden will encounter messages that challenge and provoke thought in both advertisements, at libraries and on the campaign website. thewordisfree.nuThe aim is to start conversations about freedom of expression, tolerance and the courage to listen to each other.

- With the campaign we want to arouse curiosity and conversation, since libraries are a place where many different perspectives and opinions can exist. Democracy and free opinion formation are a central part of the libraries' mission, something we need to highlight more often, says Oskar Nordström, operations manager of Boden City Library.

Continuing education for library staff

As part of the initiative, further training is also being carried out for all library staff in the three regions. Through joint training efforts, the role of libraries as a hub for democracy, conversation and learning is strengthened.

The Norrbotten Region has previously collaborated with the northern counties in projects such as the Library in Emergency Situations and Democratic Libraries. 

- The initiative The Word is Free was developed by Region Norrbotten and we then invited Västerbotten and Västernorrland, says Maria Öman, library developer at Regional Library Norrbotten. 

By coming together and making a joint effort, more people are reached, the regions can share experiences and strengthen libraries as institutions that support society. 

FACTS: Norrbotten Regional Library

Regional Library Norrbotten is one of the cultural institutions of Region Norrbotten. It is not a physical library with books, but develops the public libraries in the county in collaboration with the municipalities. You could say that the Regional Library is the hub for the development of public libraries.

Initiatives that affect all libraries in Norrbotten are often led by the Regional Library. For example, it is thanks to this collaboration that you can borrow books at one library and return them at another library in Norrbotten. 

The Regional Library operates three websites: bibblo.se, Polar bibblo and The word is free.