Interlending & Document Supply

Non-traditional library collections in digital and other worlds

Katarina Michnik Catarina Eriksson
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 Non-traditional library collections in digital
and other worlds
Katarina Michnik and Catarina Eriksson
The Swedish School of Library and Information Science, University of Bors, Bors, Sweden

Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this article is to study how public libraries argue for the inclusion of non-traditional library collections and to identify
public library objectives related to these collections.
Design/methodology/approach The data was collected through a Web survey which was sent to public library managers in all Swedish
municipalities. Data were analyzed using a model in which public library practices are divided into three categories relating to the public librarys
goals, activities and tools.
Findings Three different main arguments are used to support the introduction of non-traditional collections: as a contribution to public library
goals or activities to attract non-users and as the result of external requests or needs. Through analysis of the survey results, the public librarys
common goal, a socially sustainable society, was identified. Other library goals identified were an environmentally sustainable society and an
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improved library.
Practical implications The results may inspire practitioners to reflect upon how non-traditional collections are related to library goals and
activities and what consequences their inclusion may have for the library. For example, if non-traditional collections are used only to attract new
users, there is a risk of creating expectations that the library cannot live up to.
Originality/value Today, focus is placed on the conditions for public libraries in the digital world. It is easy to overlook the importance of
non-traditional library collections, and the role they fulfill. This article draws attention to these collections and their possible consequences for public
libraries.
Keywords Collection development, Collection management, Libraries, Library materials, Public libraries, Non-traditional collections,
Digital libraries
Paper type Research paper

1. Introduction The fact that libraries offer so called non-traditional

collections and services is nothing new. There are many earlier
Many current public library issues are related to the
and contemporary examples of libraries that provide different
emergence of digital techniques. Examples of such issues are:
kinds of games, toys and tools, among other things, to attract
concern about the provision and collection of e-books in
new potential users to the library (Massis, 2013; Nicholson,
public libraries, the digital gap in society and librarians
2013). The difference today is that we are living in a world in
expertise in relation to new digital tools. Developments have
which time and place are of less importance, and where
led to new technologies, new expectations, new challenges and
digitally based solutions are offered to a variety of problems.
new tasks for public libraries (Aab, 2005; Moyer and Thiele,
Still, there are public libraries that invest in collections that are
2012; Norman, 2012). At the same time, along with the
not just physical but also not part of the public librarys
ongoing development of digital collections and services, there
traditional holdings. How is this seeming paradox explained
is a discussion in the public library world about what
by public libraries? The aim of this article is to explore why
collections and services to offer. It is not uncommon to find
public libraries have chosen, in an increasingly digital world to
public libraries expanding their remits by offering collections
offer physical objects that are not part of their traditional
and services that are not part of their traditional portfolio of
collections and, based on these explanations, discuss what
activities; for instance, public libraries that lend out different
public library objectives can be identified. This aim is fulfilled
kinds of tools, musical instruments or umbrellas, libraries that
by addressing the following questions:
offer civic office services and libraries that invite their users to
How are non-traditional collections argued for? and
dance in the library. These developments have met both praise
what public library goals can be identified on the basis of
and criticism in the library world.
these arguments?

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2. Point of departure
In this article, a model is presented which describes public
library practices. It is inspired by a model presented by Choy
in which a library is described as consisting of three
components: the collection; [. . .] value added work; [. . .]
services that help users exploit and use the collection (Choy,
2007, p. 115). On this basis, the model presented in this
article consists of the following three categories or levels: the

165
 Non-traditional library collections
Katarina Michnik and Catarina Eriksson
public librarys goals, activities and tools. The public librarys
goals signify the concrete objectives of the library such as: all
children are readers. Such a goal expresses a chosen,
desirable future state. Library activities signify the
operationalization of specific goals, as for example providing
reading groups targeting children. This activity is not a goal in
itself but a means of reaching the above-mentioned goal.
Tools refer to items, instruments or accessories, physical or
digital, that are used by the library staff to achieve a specific
goal. In the case of the reading goal this might refer to
anything from a printed document to a finger puppet
depicting a literary figure. For example, a librarian may use
film versions of books (the tool) in reading groups for children
(the activity) to make all children readers (the goal). Of
course, one could argue that an activity could have a goal in
itself for example that a reading group is organized for its
own sake. But in this article, the interpretation is that there is
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always an explicit or implicit purpose behind organized
activities through which the goal is expressed and reached.
Even if these three levels can interact with each other, it is
important to try to distinguish them so that it is clear if
someone is referring to public library goals or to activities or
tools when discussing public library developments or
challenges. The following example demonstrates differences
between public library goals and activities. Skot-Hansen et al.
(2013, p. 12) present ideas on how libraries can contribute to
a regeneration of urban society. They suggest that in this
process, the library can play three different roles. One of these
roles is libraries as placemakers, meaning that the libraries
are developed into interesting places in the city, offering
attractive experiences and possibilities. Here, it is important to
stress that the role as placemaker is not the goal of the library
but the activity the goal is a regenerated society and it is
achieved through developing the library as placemaker.
The purpose of public libraries is expressed in Library Acts
and mission statements (Aab, 2005, p. 206). According to
the Swedish Library Act (SFS 2013, p. 801), libraries should
promote the development of democratic society, diversity and
equality. Based on documents from International Federation
of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and The
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), the fundamental idea of libraries
can be defined in the following way:
Promoting equal access to knowledge and culture by putting books and
other kinds of documents at the free disposal of the public, thereby
furthering values like meaning, participation in society, access to education
and the cultural heritage regardless of economic means and social status and
in the end a widening of democracy.
(Audunson, 1996, p. 10).
Based on these and other similar documents, a common goal
of public libraries in Western societies is a socially sustainable
society. A socially sustainable society can be defined in
different ways, but a democratic society, diversity and equal
opportunities for all members are three of the factors that
are mentioned (McKenzie, 2004, p. 19). But there are, of
course, more library goals. Through the library goals, the roles
or functions of public libraries are formulated (Aab, 2005):
i.e. the activities that are used to achieve the goals. The
concrete formulations of the library goals are, in turn, based
on the needs identified in the local community and in society.
As a result of ongoing developments in Western society,
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including the emergence of the digital world, needs in the
community are changing, adding new challenges to public
libraries. New competences are required and new roles are to
be played to achieve the main goal of the public library, a
socially sustainable, including a democratic, society (Aab,
2005; Norman, 2012).
The tools used by library staff in working towards this
public library goal are also changing to some extent and there
is an ongoing discussion on what to include in library
collections (Waller, 2008). When it comes to developing
collections or services, discussions stress the need for
motivations that are consistent with the public library goals
and missions and not just seeking to attract new users to the
library (Waller, 2008; Nicholson, 2013). Otherwise, there is a
risk that these collections or services will not be considered as
a part of the library activities by the public. Even though these
collections and services will attract non-users, these people
will probably not start to use other parts of the library because
the connection between the developed collections and services
and the rest of the library is missing. For example, in Denmark
some public libraries have started to offer citizen services and
it was hoped that these services would not just be beneficial for
the local community but also attract new users to the library.
However, these services did not result in more actual library
users (Pors, 2010). One explanation could be that these
services were never understood as a part of the library,
meaning that the people who made use of the citizen services
did not consider themselves as library visitors/users.
3. Method
Data presented in this article were collected during May and
June 2014 through a Web survey, which was sent to public
library managers in all Swedish municipalities. The response
rate was 67.5 per cent.
In most Swedish municipalities, one person is responsible
for the public libraries in the municipality and therefore one
person responded to the survey. But in some municipalities,
more people are involved in running the public libraries and
therefore two or more persons responded to the survey.
The survey consisted of eight questions, three of which
concerned non-traditional collections. The question which is
the focus of this article was the following: How do you
motivate non-traditional collections?. The respondents were
given the following multiple choice alternatives to specify the
nature of their non-traditional collections: Art/paintings,
clothes, games/puzzles, garden tools, household utensils,
information and communications technology (ICT)-tools
(E-Readers, iPads, etc.), leisure equipment, tools, toys, video
games, video game consoles and others (for example,
umbrellas). These alternatives were taken from known
examples of non-traditional collections in Sweden and other
Nordic countries. From the beginning, it was not clear if
ICT-tools should be included as an alternative in this study.
But as ICT-tools are not an obvious element in all Swedish
library collections and because there are different views on
whether ICT-tools should be a part of Swedish library
collections, ICT-tools were included as an example of
non-traditional collections in this study.
The data coding was carried out in two steps. Firstly, based
on the data content, suitable categories were formulated such
 Non-traditional library collections
Katarina Michnik and Catarina Eriksson
as for example Sustainability, Marketing and Health.
All answers were organized into these categories. Secondly,
the answers were placed on one of the three different levels in
the model presented in this article depending on whether the
non-traditional collection in question was motivated by public
library goals, activities or tools. Coding was carried out by two
researchers individually when different coding decisions
were taken, these were discussed until compliance was
achieved.
4. Result and analysis
In this section, empirical data are organized by the different
themes that were found on the three different levels.
4.1 Statements referring to public librarys goals
In the empirical data, statements were found referring to goals
for the public library. This means that the introduction of
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non-traditional collections is motivated by its contribution to
a specific goal. Three different goals have been identified in
the data as given below.
4.1.1 Creating a sustainable society
Sustainability can be defined in different ways. According to
the most common definition there are three dimensions of
sustainability: economic, environmental and social
(McKenzie, 2004; Nolin, 2010). In the data, the latter two
dimensions emerged clearly. An economic dimension is
present but used in terms of borrowing, i.e. people borrow
products instead of purchasing them (sometimes before
purchasing so that users have the possibility to first try the
product before buying it elsewhere). Considering the
economic system of contemporary Western society, it is
therefore difficult to view this particular service in terms of
economic sustainability.
The environmental and social dimensions are more visible
in arguments for the introduction of non-traditional
collections. Concerning the social dimension, the prominent
library goal which emerges in the data is the democratic
society, social inclusiveness and equal opportunities,
characteristics of a socially sustainable society (McKenzie,
2004). According to the respondents, this can be achieved by
equal access. In the data, examples can be found of
respondents who motivate lending out ICT-tools with
Everyones equal rights to knowledge (R6). Similar
motivations are used in the case of other objects such as
Nordic walking poles, TV games and fitness equipment.
According to respondents, these objects are included in public
library collections so that anyone can use them regardless of
social or economic status: Anyone can play TV games no
matter what their economy is (R179).
The environmental dimension is expressed through
statements concerning the provision of equipment, for
example, electricity meters, which are loaned out to raise the
publics consciousness of the human impact on the
environment in terms of: Making people aware of their
energy consumption (R73) and to contribute to a climate
friendly way of life (R151).
4.1.2 Improving the population
According to some statements, non-traditional collections can
stimulate the population in different ways. For instance,
Interlending & Document Supply
Volume 42 Number 4 2014 165170
health can be promoted through providing fitness equipment,
or tools that facilitate active pastimes: Bicycle pumps to
promote cycling (R148). Another example of stimulating the
population on the local level is the idea of: [. . .] developing
possibilities for local participation (R43). Providing
opportunities to learn languages, be creative, culturally active
or simply enjoy oneself are also used as motivations for
non-traditional collections.
4.1.3 Improving the library
Non-traditional collections are motivated through statements
that the library and the internal and external image of the
library can be improved through these collections. For
instance, they can contribute by increasing a sense of
well-being and comfort in the library: Puzzles are
entertaining for children in the childrens library [. . .]
(R265), or by making the library more attractive in the eyes of
citizens. The following citation is one example: We have
games/puzzles in the childrens library as a strategy for
attracting children to the library (R47).
4.2 Statements referring to the public librarys
activities
Some statements do not refer to the public librarys goals in
motivating non-traditional collections, but rather by the
conviction that these collections will facilitate different library
activities. The activities are, in turn, related to library goals.
To conclude: the difference between Statements referring to
the public librarys goals and Statements referring to the
public librarys activities is that according to the former,
non-traditional collections are motivated through references
to public librarys goals, while in the case of the latter,
non-traditional collections are motivated through references
to the activities, which in turn lead or will lead to the goals.
4.2.1 Part of the library mission
The respondents also motivate non-traditional collections
through statements that these collections support library
missions. For example, one of the respondents claimed that to
fulfil our mission with regard to contemporary media- and
information structures (R250), they provide ICT-tools.
Another example is the following statement: The library
should offer different pastimes, we have among other things
cards games, parlor games and different puzzles (R279). In
these statements, the purpose of including non-traditional
collections is a manifestation of the library mission. Of course,
the mission itself is linked to and is expressing a goal. But it is
important to remember that the mission is not the goal but the
process through which the goal is reached. In this category, the
existence of these collections is not motivated by their
contribution to a specific goal but as a part or a consequence
of a mission. The difference may be small, but it is important
to distinguish whether something is included because it is
considered as a contribution to a goal or because it is
considered as a part of a mission, a part of something that
should be done to reach the goal.
4.2.2 Facilitating the library staffs activities
Non-traditional collections can also be motivated because
they facilitate library staffs activities. For example: iPads are
needed for managing our activities [. . .] (R77) or Reading
promotion activities include fairytale bags [. . .] (R286). The
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 Non-traditional library collections
Katarina Michnik and Catarina Eriksson
collection is therefore expanded to give public library staff
more work tools: in these examples, iPads and fairytale bags
are needed for enhancing different activities. The values of
these collections are dependent on how much they can
contribute to the performed activities.
4.2.3 Part of ongoing collaboration
Collaboration with external groups, organizations, etc. are
common to all Swedish public libraries. In this category,
statements motivate the existence of non-traditional
collections as a part, or consequence of, collaboration. As the
types of collaboration vary, different circumstances influence
the types of collections.
Lending out bikes is in cooperation with the municipality. As we have
generous opening hours, the library is a suitable place. The library also
provides bicycle helmets (R173).
electricity meters, because we have energy counselling (R40).
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As noted in the examples above, non-traditional collections
indicate different levels or absence of information and
knowledge sharing. The purpose of the library can, of course,
be discussed, but there is a convention that the public library
provides free and equal access to information and services to
help users use this information (Audunson, 1996; Choy,
2007). Neither bikes nor electricity meters are part of the
traditional library collections, but it is more difficult to
connect a bike to information sharing activities compared to
an electricity meter.
4.3 Statements referring to a specific tool
Some statements claim that the existence of non-traditional
collections is a consequence of external requirements. The
purpose of lending out particular tools is therefore not to
contribute to a goal or to an activity but a consequence of
external expectations, for instance: After a political decision
(at the municipal level), we loan out electricity meters
(R117). Another example is a library that lends out tools such
as drills and saws by arguing that these are tools which are
seldom used and therefore on loan for the few occasions they
are needed by members of the public. According to this
statement, the reason for loaning out tools is therefore not to
support groups that are financially marginalized, but to offer
tools which are seldom used and therefore unnecessary for
individuals to buy. Statements in this category therefore do
not refer to the public librarys goals or activities, but to loan
out tools that do not have anything to do with conventional
public library practices.
5. Some reflections
Based on the results, some interesting and different
perspectives have been identified. These are presented in the
below subsections.
5.1 Different, broad goals
According to the Swedish Library Act and IFLA and
UNESCO documents, the common stated goal of public
libraries is to contribute to a socially sustainable, democratic,
society. This can be striven for in different ways depending on
local and national circumstances. Digitization has led to
unequal access to information among the public (Aab,
2005). Libraries attempt to overbridge this digital gap in
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different ways. Concrete examples can be found in the data of
this article for example, loaning out ICT-tools provides
information in digital form for everyone. A socially sustainable
society in a digital world is therefore the goal here.
But the digital discourse is not the only one found in the
data when references to the common public library goal are
made. Historically, one important factor in a democratic
society is educated citizens (Hansson, 2010). Although public
libraries mission to educate the population has changed
compared with some decades ago, from so called Bildung to
education, in the data statements, non-traditional collections
are included to promote consciousness and activity among the
population, characteristics which can be regarded as
prerequisites for a democratic society.
Non-traditional collections can also be motivated by
statements that are not linked to a democratic or socially
sustainable society but to a society that is environmentally
sustainable. Interestingly, the issues brought up on this subject
are not locally oriented but independent of time and place, as
mankinds impact on the environment is viewed in a global
perspective. However, when it comes to other subjects other
than environmental sustainability, it is evident that time and
place can be important when speaking about non-traditional
collections. For example, walking poles in connection with the
organization of Nordic walking groups these items are used
in specific places and times, and are therefore local rather than
global activities, a complete opposite to the digital world
activities.
Further, as can be seen in the results, arguments supporting
non-traditional collections related to the development of an
economically sustainable society are rare. This does not mean
that libraries are not part of economic development. There are
several studies that show that libraries can have a positive
impact, firstly, on the economy of the individual, and,
secondly, on the economy of the society (Rooney-Browne,
2009; Child and Goulding, 2012). In the data, evidence can
be found that non-traditional collections are developed so that
library users can borrow, among others, ICT-tools instead of
buying. In such scenarios, it is clear that these collections are
not motivated by the idea of economic sustainability but of
equal opportunities and social inclusiveness among the
inhabitants in the community. One could argue that
counteracting social and economic inequality has an impact
on the economy of the society (Aab, 2005) and promotes, in
time, an economically sustainable society. But this is not
brought up in the respondents statements.
Library roles and functions are formulated on the basis of
library goals, (Aab, 2005). Because two of the library goals
identified in this article, a socially and environmentally
sustainable society, are broad, different roles and functions are
likely to be required to achieve them. More library roles will
not only create more tasks for staff but also increasing
expectations on the library. There is already a variation of
different expectations related to public libraries, which may
draw the public library in different directions in attempting to
meet these expectations (Kann-Christensen and Pors, 2004;
Vestheim, 2007; Kann-Christensen and Andersen, 2009).
More broad goals may increase the risk of library
fragmentation, especially as one of them, an environmentally
sustainable society, is not a part of the common library goal, a
 Non-traditional library collections
Katarina Michnik and Catarina Eriksson
socially sustainable society. Therefore, it is essential to inquire
how far public librarys community efforts should stretch.
5.2 Non-traditional collections: part of the public
library or not?
The discussion on what should be included in library
collections is not new and there are different ways in which
non-traditional collections can be related to library activities
(Waller, 2008; Nicholson, 2013). According to the statements
in this articles data, the following three different approaches
towards non-traditional collections can be identified:
non-traditional collections have been included because they:
contribute to either a library goal or to the implementation
of a public library activity;
attract new users; and
meet external expectations/decisions.
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It is important to note that some collections, such as TV
games, can be viewed in different ways by different
respondents. For some, TV games are considered as bearing
narratives and therefore a natural component of library
activities; others respondents consider TV games simply as
means of attracting new users.
Nicholson (2013) stresses that non-traditional collections
and services should be approached and used by library staff in
ways that contribute to the achievement of public library goals
and therefore become a part of the public library. Thus, there
is a risk that non-traditional collections that are only motivated
by their attraction or as a response to external requests will not
be included in future library goals and activities and this may
lead to false expectations among groups who are not familiar
with public libraries.
5.3 Is the library the means or the goal?
In the data, the existence of non-traditional collections can be
motivated through statements referring to the development of
the library, which means that the goal in such scenarios is not
to improve something in society but to improve the library. It
is not stated whether developing the library is part of the
overall goal of improving the community but regardless of
whether this is the case or not, it raises the question of what a
library is is a library the means or the goal, is the purpose to
contribute to a better society or to a better library?
Depending on whether the library is considered as a means
or a goal, this can affect the librarys attitude to the effects of
societal developments, for example, the concrete effects of
digitization. If the library is considered as a goal in itself and
the purpose of the library is to reproduce itself, it can be
difficult to accept new technological tools and services and to
include them in public library activities, as there is a clear view
of what a library should be and do. If the library is instead
considered as a means, which must adapt to the prevailing
circumstances to reach its goal, then it can be easier to accept
and include new technological tools and services as they can
be seen to contribute to the goal.
6. Conclusions
Three kinds of reasons can be identified for including
non-traditional collections. Firstly, if they are considered as
contributing or linked to either a public library goal or activity.
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Secondly, if they are likely to attract new users. Finally, if they
are linked to external requests/needs. The problem with the
latter two is that if they are not related to the public library
goals and the public library activities, they may give non-users
of public libraries false expectations.
Digitization processes create certain needs that have to be
met before a society can be considered as socially sustainable,
which is the common public library goal. The choices of
non-traditional collections are motivated by their contribution
in meeting these specific needs. But needs caused by
digitization are not the only reasons for developing
non-traditional collections. References are also made to other
needs in society that are not a result of the digitization
processes as, for example, economic inequalities in the
community, global environmental issues and the promotion of
health among the inhabitants. These needs illustrate a large
variation of issues. To avoid fragmentation, it is important for
public libraries to consider which needs to respond to and
which needs are actually parts of other organizations areas.
Two types of library goals can be identified in the
statements: an improved library and an improved society.
Regarding the latter, the public library objective is a socially
and environmentally sustainable society. Concerning the
arguments for non-traditional collections to strive for a
socially sustainable society, the goal is not just to counteract
inequalities arising from digital developments, but also
inequalities which are caused by other factors such as the
economic.
It is evident that the public library is present and active not
just in a digital world but also in a global world where the
environment is strongly threatened as well as in a local world
of social exclusion independent of the digital gap.
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Corresponding author
Katarina Michnik can be contacted at: katarina.michnik@
hb.se