Public libraries in language assimilation policies : The Swedish Tornedalian example

This article reports from a project on the role of public libraries in language assimilation policies directed against the Meänkieli-speaking Tornedalian minority in the far north of Sweden during the first half of the 20th century. As libraries in the Torne Valley area, bordering on Finland, were m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IFLA Journal
Main Author: Hansson, Joacim
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för kulturvetenskaper (KV) 2023
Subjects:
Public Libraries
Sweden
National Minorities
Indigenous Librarianship
Tornedalians
Information Studies
Biblioteks- och informationsvetenskap
meänkieli
Online Access:http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-123732
https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352231192126
Description
Summary:This article reports from a project on the role of public libraries in language assimilation policies directed against the Meänkieli-speaking Tornedalian minority in the far north of Sweden during the first half of the 20th century. As libraries in the Torne Valley area, bordering on Finland, were maintained under state control, they became tools in the near eradication of Meänkieli in a complex set of policies that were in effect until 1957, promoting a uniform Swedish language and culture. Building on sociological conflict theory and the analysis of unpublished local documentation, the article brings to light conditions previously unknown about the Swedish public libraries in the northernmost part of the country. The article concludes by reflecting on the role of Swedish libraries today as important tools for the revitalization of Meänkieli, aimed at strengthening the identity and visibility of the Tornedalian minority.

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