The aim of this Master´s thesis is to explore how public libraries in a successful way can work in projects with young people. It intends to point out different factors that in a legible way affect the accomplishment and outcome of the project. Another purpose of the study is to uncover the various approaches existing within the projects towards young people and to find out why it is seen as important to work with youngsters, considering the hard work that it requires and the reluctance of the young to visit the library. The examination is based upon eight different and fulfilled projects. Information about these has been received through project descriptions, project reports and documents describing applications for economical benefits. Different kinds of projects carried out both within and outside the library were studied in order to obtain diverse perspectives of the topic. The examination included eight projects of which three had been accomplished within a library, one was a music project, one a general cultural project and three projects were related to sports.
In a comparison between the various projects, it was difficult to notice any difference. None of them could be identified as more successful than the others. A significant distinction could not even be detected when the group of projects within the libraries were compared to the other projects. Several projects had trouble fulfilling their quantitative aims, due to unrealistic visions rather than actual failure in reaching out to the youth. The libraries tended to see the projects as a means to help young people in their self-development towards being good citizens. Some of the other projects were more focused on using the knowledge and the skills of the young people.
Numerous factors affected the results of the projects. However, the outcome of the study revealed three aspects that are of particular importance. The first factor concerns the form of the project. To work in a project has been proved successful when approaching young people. The second factor is that it is important to know the target group well. This is essential in order to design a project that is of interest to the group in focus. The t...
