Considering the reputaion the Scandinavian countries have, it comes as no surprise to know that the Swedes leave no ‘archipalego’ unreached when it comes to reading. The die-hard habit among most in Sweden is nurtured by a strong network of libraries not just in Sweden’s capital city, Stockholm, but also across the country. And considering that Stockholm is built on 14 islands, in between lake Malaren and Baltic sea, it comes yet again as no surprise that boats turn into libraries, just so the Swedes can read.
Due to the inaccessibility of some of islands, the city libraries are reaching out to the inhabitants of the remotely situated Stockholm Archipelago (extensive group of islands) in a ‘Book Boat’ or the floating library system, which was first conceived by librarian Elise Adelsköld in 1953 when the library boat made its first journey to the islands. The service has been running in different formats since then.
Many of the islanders wait for the day the boat arrives, carrying with it a treasure trove of latest in fiction and non-fiction. Some have been ardent users of boat library for over 30 years.
Initially, the Stockholm regional library took the responsibility for the floating library. This continued for many years. In 2018, the Norrtälje municipal library was awarded the contract to ensure that inhabitants of archipalegos get access to libraries. It now coordinates with three other Stockholm municipalities to provide the service. Norrtälje along with Värmdö, Österåker and Haninge and with the support and additional funding from the regional library, is running the service for over a year.
As it happens, a boat used for sightseeing tours and parties is hired twice a year for a week each in spring and autumn and is turned into library. The books from the Norrtälje library, which is situated in the north of Stockholm city centre, are carted to the boat, which takes few hours, to set up a library in the boat. Nearly 3,000 books offering a wide range of titles about crafts or history, biographies, poetry, archipelago history, folklore and latest novels are packed in various shelves for its week-long journey. In local parlance the boat library is called Bokbåten. Seven persons go onboard — three librarians, one cook who also helps in the library, the captain and two deckies — to manage the week-long service, covering all the 23 islands in archipelago.
The boat sets off from Stockholm harbour on Monday morning and moves very north of the archipelago and then gradually move south, reaching out to all the 23 islands during the week. The boat is normally anchored at each pier for about 30-90 minutes, depending on the number of visitors.
“There are primary schools on five of the islands and we also have visits from pre-school children. So, we cater to all ages and tastes. We carry a wide range of titles. The books are lent out until our next visit so they stay on the island for about five to six months. Each book is often read by more than one person and kept in the local island library or school until we return. Most books are returned although sometimes it can take a couple of years before some find their way back, as there are no penalties for late returns,” says Maria Anderhagen from Norrtälje municipal library, who is coordinates the library service.
According to her, in 2018, more than 4,000 books were loaned during the two weekly visits to the islands.
Due to the inaccessibility of some of islands, the city libraries are reaching out to the inhabitants of the remotely situated Stockholm Archipelago (extensive group of islands) in a ‘Book Boat’ or the floating library system, which was first conceived by librarian Elise Adelsköld in 1953 when the library boat made its first journey to the islands. The service has been running in different formats since then.
Many of the islanders wait for the day the boat arrives, carrying with it a treasure trove of latest in fiction and non-fiction. Some have been ardent users of boat library for over 30 years.
Initially, the Stockholm regional library took the responsibility for the floating library. This continued for many years. In 2018, the Norrtälje municipal library was awarded the contract to ensure that inhabitants of archipalegos get access to libraries. It now coordinates with three other Stockholm municipalities to provide the service. Norrtälje along with Värmdö, Österåker and Haninge and with the support and additional funding from the regional library, is running the service for over a year.
As it happens, a boat used for sightseeing tours and parties is hired twice a year for a week each in spring and autumn and is turned into library. The books from the Norrtälje library, which is situated in the north of Stockholm city centre, are carted to the boat, which takes few hours, to set up a library in the boat. Nearly 3,000 books offering a wide range of titles about crafts or history, biographies, poetry, archipelago history, folklore and latest novels are packed in various shelves for its week-long journey. In local parlance the boat library is called Bokbåten. Seven persons go onboard — three librarians, one cook who also helps in the library, the captain and two deckies — to manage the week-long service, covering all the 23 islands in archipelago.
The boat sets off from Stockholm harbour on Monday morning and moves very north of the archipelago and then gradually move south, reaching out to all the 23 islands during the week. The boat is normally anchored at each pier for about 30-90 minutes, depending on the number of visitors.
“There are primary schools on five of the islands and we also have visits from pre-school children. So, we cater to all ages and tastes. We carry a wide range of titles. The books are lent out until our next visit so they stay on the island for about five to six months. Each book is often read by more than one person and kept in the local island library or school until we return. Most books are returned although sometimes it can take a couple of years before some find their way back, as there are no penalties for late returns,” says Maria Anderhagen from Norrtälje municipal library, who is coordinates the library service.
According to her, in 2018, more than 4,000 books were loaned during the two weekly visits to the islands.
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