Literacy and Reading - Best Practices in Malmö, Sweden

Abstract

Malmö is the third largest city in Sweden with a population of 300,000. It is a multicultural city with more than 30% of its population being born abroad and it is also a young city with an average age of 38.6 years per citizen. Malmö public library has worked with a range of activities promoting literacy and reading among the target groups. Such activities are Tea-parties on fantasy sub-genres, putting bookshelves in a police station and lending an empty business premises in a shopping mall to create a place for literature and creativity in a different place. Success factors include defining the target groups, having a good budget for the project(s), setting goals as well as work methods on how to obtain those goals, and being persistent in finding ways on how to reach people still not coming to the library. Last but not least, it is when we collaborate with others that we get the best results.