Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - First part - IV. Education and Mental Culture - 7. Public Collections and Institutions for Science and Art. Periodical Literature. By B. Lundstedt, Ph. D., Librarian at the Royal Library, Stockholm - People's Libraries, by A. Dalin, Common-school Head Teacher, Huskvarna
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PEOPLE’S LIBRARIES.
395
People’s Libraries.
The origin of parish libraries in Sweden can be traced as far back
as the beginning of the 17th centnry, but it is not till the 19th century
that they have come to be of any greater significance. The same
educational movement which, in 1842, gave to Sweden its obligatory common
schools, also called forth measures for the more general establishment
of parish libraries.
Several of the most distinguished men of Sweden in the middle of the 19th
century, worked zealously in the service of the library movement, and foremost
among these, that warm-hearted friend of the education of the people, P. A.
Sitøe-ström, the advice and directions of whom, as well as a list of literature drawn up
by him, served as a guide at the establishment of several hundred libraries during
tbe decades of 1851/1870. In 1870 the number of parish libraries in Sweden
may be regarded as having amounted to about 1,800. At this time, however, the
Interest in the matter began to decrease, so that several of the libraries fell into
desnetude and were dispersed. But these last years the interest has re-awakened,
and at present the movement for the establishment and extension of people’s
libraries is unquestionably making headway.
The parish libraries are oumed by the respective communities; their support
is mostly dependant, however, on the benevolence and generosity of private
individuals. In 1902 the Riksdag handed in an application to the Government regarding
investigation as to the conditions on which State grants might be given to people’s
libraries. — In the country the parish libraries seldom contain above 500 volumes.
Some few have 1,000 to 3,000 volumes. In the cities most are of this size. In
the country as well as in the cities, it is usual to have the libraries quartered
in school-rooms or municipal offices; in most cases they are attended to by the
Common school teachers. Some single ones of the libraries lately re-established have
their own premises. The books are selected from the common and more popular
literature. The different branches of this literature are generally represented in
each library. Where the libraries are well kept and augmented yearly, they are
diligently made use of. The greatest part of the book-loans are taken by persons
of the working class, mostly at an age of 15—30 years. Books of a narrative
style, as also descriptions of travels and accounts from history, are preferred; next
in order come works of natural history and popular works of astronomy, physics, and
chemistry; religious works, on the contrary, are less read, as the families usually
are amply furnished with such. — As one of the best libraries of this kind may
be mentioned that of the Hedvig Eleonora parish in Stockholm.
The most notable collection of books for the people is, however, to be found
in the People’s Library of Gothenburg City. This is founded on donations
made by members of the Dickson family. The Town council selects the members
of the Board having charge of this institution. The library is lodged in a large
and beautiful building, erected expressly for the purpose, centrally situated at a
principal crossing of the largest street of the town. The apartments are spacious,
lofty, and light, and the regulations for visitors especially appropriate. Admission
is free, and in 1901 the number of visitors amounted to 145,000, of nearly all
ages and grades of cultivation. For reading in the rooms were handed out during
the same year 54,300 volumes, beside which 26,200 loans were granted for home
reading. The whole collection comprises about 9,000 volumes.
An association for the establishment of people’s libraries and reading-rooms was
formed in Stockholm in 1900. The object of the Association is to work, in dif-
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