This is shown in a new report from the Study Associations in cooperation, the Swedish Library Association and the Folk Education Council.
"At the end of the road" is the name of the report which, among other things, highlights that the number of staffed public libraries has decreased by 8.5 percent over the past ten years due to deteriorated economy and cutbacks. During the same period, the book bus stops decreased by 9 percent. In total, almost every tenth fixed location for public libraries has been withdrawn, according to the report.
At the same time, the study associations have closed premises in four out of ten municipalities.
"In practice, the government's cutback of 500 million kronor means that people in rural areas can no longer count on the same access to study circles and cultural activities," says David Samuelsson, Secretary General of the Study Associations in cooperation.
