The unknown role of libraries in society

December 11, 2023.

In times of uncertainty, crisis or conflict, libraries are an unexpected but important player in our country's preparedness. Although their role is often forgotten in the discussion about total defense, libraries are an indispensable resource for society. A place where citizens can access important information when other channels may be unavailable. During the Covid pandemic, public libraries were one of the few public services that largely maintained their operations and were part of the public front line. 

In April 2023, bibliotekiberdespad.se was launched, which is primarily aimed at library staff in Västerbotten and Norrbotten, but the public can also access the information. The regional libraries in both counties are behind the unique collaboration, which offers educational materials and live workshops on preparedness and total defense. An exciting angle is the website's structure around fiction, with specially written short stories by authors in both counties. The literature serves as an entrance to an otherwise complex issue, and allows both businesses and the public to familiarize themselves with different crisis scenarios in an imaginative way.

- Initiatives like this are fantastic for highlighting the unexpected but critical role of libraries in preparing society for future challenges, says Maria Öman at Norrbotten Regional Library.

The project Libraries on alert has now reached the halfway point in its one-year lifespan. To mark this milestone, all interested parties are invited to a digital conversation with Norrbotten author Therese Henriksson on December 12. The conversation will explore her experiences writing about libraries on alert and the potential role she sees libraries can play for citizens during upcoming crises.

For more information about the call and to participate, visit library readiness.se and click on the tab 'webinars'.