Erling Takes the Helm at Skövde Library

After more than seven years at the library in Nordens Hus (the Nordic House), run by the Nordic Council of Ministers in Iceland, Erling Kjærbo has a new job - as library director in Skövde.

"It’s a dream job! For me, it’s important that the library is part of a cultural center, which gives us greater opportunities to collaborate with those working in art and events. Being close to others allows the library to focus more on our core mission - promoting reading."

In his new role, Erling has several plans for developing the library’s operations. He explains that he has previously worked thematically, an approach he now intends to implement at Skövde’s library. Next year’s theme will be democracy, with hopes of finding many collaboration partners.

Collaboration is close to Erling’s heart, and he also hopes to share the library’s expertise in lending with other organizations.

"There’s a large municipal art collection and great expertise in this building. I want to create a system where people can borrow a painting just like they borrow a library book."

Moved to Be Closer to Europe

Erling moved to Sweden two months ago. Originally from the Faroe Islands, he had lived in Iceland for many years. His decision to move to Sweden was motivated by a desire to be closer to the rest of Europe.

"When you live on an island, you can only drive around it. When my wife and I have gone on vacation, we’ve flown somewhere, rented a car, and driven out to explore new places. Now we can just get in our car and go wherever we want! Next summer, our plan is to drive both down and up through all of Sweden - after that, other countries await."

For now, Erling lives in an apartment, but he plans to start looking for a house soon. He longs for a countryside home with his own garden and proximity to the forest.

"I usually say it’s a house and a Volvo - but with a cat, that’s what I want."

Closeness to nature is important to Erling, and he looks forward to experiencing Sweden through all its seasons.

"In Iceland and the Faroe Islands, the seasons don’t change much—it’s almost always winter. But here, it happens so fast! When I moved, autumn was just beginning, and I saw the trees change color. Then, overnight, winter came, and all the leaves fell."

"Friendly and Warm People"

Erling describes his new hometown, Skövde, as a very pleasant city with plenty of culture and friendly people. He looks forward to getting to know both the city and more people in his area.
Erling already speaks Swedish - or "Scandinavian blend," as he calls it.

"When I worked at Nordens Hus, we spoke ‘Scandinavian.’ It’s a mix of Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish. This is the first time I’m speaking proper Swedish at work, but it’s going well - we understand each other just fine."

Even though Erling has quickly adapted to the language, there are other things he feels he needs to learn.

"I don’t know anything about Swedish celebrities or other things that come up in conversations here. But now I’m just watching Swedish TV to learn."

The only thing Erling is critical of regarding his move to Sweden is the bureaucratic hurdles he has encountered. He explains that it’s impossible to do things like open a bank account or register with authorities before getting a personal identity number (personnummer). The process was complicated and often required his physical presence in Sweden

"But now I’m here and have been warmly welcomed! There’s a big difference between Sweden’s stiff bureaucracy and the friendly, warm people who live here."

This text has been translated with the help of AI.