A Divided Role : - a qualitative study exploring how public library professionals are facing change within their profession

Abstract: Due to changes within the public library profession and a lack of previous research regarding its societal role, this essay explores this phenomenon. The objective of this empirical study is to explore the societal role of public library professionals in Canada through the analyzation of semi-structured interview transcripts and a guideline document for professionals. The results were analyzed and sensitized through the theoretical frameworks of Abbott’s professionalization theory (1988) and Bourdieu’s praxeology theory (1986; 1992). Through grounded theorization, the study found that the role of professionals has changed, and is changing, due to not only external but also internal factors in the form of a conflict. This conflict was conceptualized through sensitization of Bourdieu’s framework as challenging and enabling ideas of the doxa of the profession. This conceptualization was understood further through the lens of Abbott’s system of professions where claims of expertise, which is viewed as a crucial part of professionalization, was theorized as an important part of that conflict.