Leisure, associations and community
The library helps you find books, learn and join local activities.
Goal: understand the basics and find the right official help route.
Translated from Swedish. Always rely on the Swedish text and the official source.
Show the original Swedish text
Fritid, föreningsliv och gemenskap
Biblioteket är en ingång till läsning, kunskap och lokala aktiviteter.
- Varje kommun ska ha folkbibliotek tillgängliga för alla.
- Litteratur ska kunna lånas eller användas en viss tid utan avgift, oavsett publiceringsform.
- Avgifter får finnas för exempelvis kopiering och sena återlämningar.
- Personer med annat modersmål ska uppmärksammas särskilt, bland annat med andra språk och lättläst svenska.
- Hitta biblioteket, öppettiderna och lånereglerna.
- Fråga efter lättläst svenska eller andra språk.
- Fråga vilka aktiviteter som finns och om de kräver anmälan eller avgift.
Alla bibliotek har inte samma aktiviteter eller språkcaféer. Gratis litteraturlån betyder inte att varje tjänst eller föreningsaktivitet är gratis.
Good to know
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Every municipality must have public libraries available to everyone.
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You must be able to borrow or use literature for a time, free of charge. This applies to all forms of publication.
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Fees may apply, for example for copying and late returns.
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People with another mother tongue must be given special attention, for example with other languages and easy-to-read Swedish.
Three steps to get started
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Find the library, its opening hours and its lending rules.
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Ask for easy-to-read Swedish or other languages.
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Ask which activities there are and whether they require registration or a fee.
A practical checklist to try. It does not add any legal requirements.
Important distinctions
Not all libraries have the same activities or language cafés. Free loans of literature do not mean that every service or association activity is free.
Practice question
Show the right answer and explanation
B. Loans of literature are free of charge; some other fees can exist.
The Library Act separates loans of literature from other services and late returns.
This question is practice, not a test. Answers are not saved.
Sources
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Sveriges riksdag / SFS
Bibliotekslag (2013:801) (opens in a new tab)“Varje kommun ska ha folkbibliotek.”
Checked . Check the source again before you act. Rules and contact routes can change.
In depth
Modules and guides
10 modules in this area. Everyone can read the modules marked Free. The rest are part of Premium.
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Libraries and borrowing
Every municipality has a public library. There you can borrow for free, and get help with much more than books.
Libraries and borrowing. Every municipality has a public library. There you can borrow for free, and get help with much more than books.The library is for everyone
Under the Libraries Act (bibliotekslagen), every municipality must have a public library. The library must be accessible to everyone and suited to the people who use it.
The library must help people gain knowledge and form their own opinion. This is an important part of democracy.
Free to borrow
At the public library you can borrow books and other literature for free for a set time. This is true whether it is a paper book, an audiobook or an e-book.
- The library may charge for things such as copying and postage.
- The library may charge a fee if you return something late.
Tip: Ask at the library what you need to get a library card.
Books in your language and easy-to-read Swedish
Libraries must pay special attention to people whose first language is not Swedish. So they must offer literature in:
- the national minority languages,
- languages other than Swedish,
- easy-to-read Swedish.
Tip: Cannot find the book you want? Ask the staff if they can order it from another library.
More than books
- Public libraries must help people learn to use computers and the internet to search for knowledge.
- Children and young people get extra attention. The library must support their language and their interest in reading.
- People with a disability must be able to get literature and assistive devices that suit them.
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Sport, culture and leisure activities
In Sweden, much of free time takes place in associations – in sport, culture and outdoor activities.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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Sport, culture and leisure activities. In Sweden, much of free time takes place in associations – in sport, culture and outdoor activities.Idrott i föreningar Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Kultur Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Friluftsliv Locked
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Så kommer du igång Locked
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Sources
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Associations and membership
What a non-profit association is, what it means to be a member and why so many take part.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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Associations and membership. What a non-profit association is, what it means to be a member and why so many take part.Vad är en ideell förening? Locked
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Att vara medlem Locked
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Du ansvarar inte för föreningens skulder Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Många engagerar sig Locked
Locked section. Part of Premium.
Sources
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Association rules and democracy
The bylaws are the rules of the association. This is how the board, the annual meeting and decisions work.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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Association rules and democracy. The bylaws are the rules of the association. This is how the board, the annual meeting and decisions work.Vad är stadgar? Locked
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Medlemmarna bestämmer Locked
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Ideell eller ekonomisk förening? Locked
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Sources
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Volunteering and helping your community
Helping out without pay – where you find tasks and what to keep in mind.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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Volunteering and helping your community. Helping out without pay – where you find tasks and what to keep in mind.Vad är ett ideellt uppdrag? Locked
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Så hittar du ett uppdrag Locked
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Unga kan också engagera sig Locked
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Tänk på det här Locked
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Sources
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Study associations and meeting places
Study circles, courses and culture for adults – in every municipality and not for profit.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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Study associations and meeting places. Study circles, courses and culture for adults – in every municipality and not for profit.Vad är ett studieförbund? Locked
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De åtta studieförbunden Locked
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Vad är en studiecirkel? Locked
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Andra mötesplatser Locked
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Sources
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Activities for children and young people
Fritidskortet [leisure card], associations, kulturskola [arts school for children] and libraries – this is how your child finds meaningful free time.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
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Activities for children and young people. Fritidskortet [leisure card], associations, kulturskola [arts school for children] and libraries – this is how your child finds meaningful free time.Fritidskortet Locked
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Föreningar och kulturskola Locked
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Biblioteket Locked
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Tryggt för barnen Locked
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Sources
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Options that are accessible and free
Free time does not have to cost much. Here are things that are free or cheap.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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Launch price 49 SEK/month
Options that are accessible and free. Free time does not have to cost much. Here are things that are free or cheap.Gratis Locked
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Fritidsbanken Locked
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Tillgängligt för fler Locked
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Sources
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Finding and contacting local services and groups
Where to look for activities near you and how to make the first contact.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
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Launch price 49 SEK/month
Finding and contacting local services and groups. Where to look for activities near you and how to make the first contact.Var letar du? Locked
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Guide: ta första kontakten Locked
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Om du inte får svar Locked
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Sources
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Starting a small association
You need to be at least three people. This is how you write the bylaws, hold the first meeting and ask for an organisation number.
This module is only available in Swedish for now.
Part of Premium
This module and all other in-depth modules and guides are part of Premium.
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Launch price 49 SEK/month
Starting a small association. You need to be at least three people. This is how you write the bylaws, hold the first meeting and ask for an organisation number.Innan ni börjar Locked
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Guide: steg för steg Locked
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Behöver ni ett organisationsnummer? Locked
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Pengar, moms och arvoden Locked
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Sources
General information, not individual legal, medical or financial advice.