A service concept developed in collaboration with Deichman Furuset (FUBIAK)

Team: Lovis, Serafin, Mathilde and Sina

“LA STÅ!” is a service concept developed for Deichman Furuset with the goal of increasing reading engagement among youth in Furuset. The name plays on a familiar classroom phrase — something important written on the board that should not be erased.

Background

Through desk research, interviews with local youth, a teacher, and employees at FUBIAK, we explored reading habits and attitudes toward literature. We reviewed the Norwegian Government’s reading strategy and Deichman’s strategic goals, and uncovered a key insight:

Reading pressure creates reading stress.

Many young people associate reading with performance, school expectations, and failure — rather than curiosity or enjoyment. In Furuset, this is further reinforced by structural factors. Reading and books are not always part of childhood environments, and local reading scores are among the lowest nationally. At the same time, we discovered a strong interest in language and storytelling — for example, youth writing rap lyrics during school breaks.

This tension became the foundation of our concept.

The Concept

LA STÅ! moves literature out of the library and into the public space.

Selected excerpts from youth literature are placed on large walls around Furuset. The texts are short, striking, emotional or thought-provoking — designed to spark curiosity rather than demand commitment. You don’t have to borrow a book. You don’t have to step inside the library. You simply encounter literature where you already are.

Each installation clearly communicates Deichman as the sender, while inviting those who are curious to explore more at FUBIAK.

The goal is not necessarily to make every young person read an entire book.
The goal is to create a low-threshold literary experience.

Confusion, curiosity, recognition, irritation, reflection — all of these are valid outcomes.

Co-Creation with the Book Club

A central part of the project is that the texts are selected by youth themselves.

FUBIAK’s existing book club becomes the driving force behind LA STÅ!. Together with a librarian, a youth worker, and a collaborating artist, the group:

• Selects two books

• Reads and discusses them over several months

• Identifies meaningful excerpts

• Participates in workshops to decide format, placement and visual expression

An artist then finalizes the installation in collaboration with the group.

This gives the book club a stronger structure and a visible voice in the community. They are not only readers — they are cultural contributors.

Two Parallel Experiences

LA STÅ! creates value on two levels:

For youth who do not usually read:
They encounter literature unexpectedly in their everyday environment. It may spark conversation, reflection, or even a first voluntary visit to the library.

For book club members:
They gain ownership, responsibility, and pride in shaping public cultural expression.

Through prototyping in the area, we observed that large textual installations naturally create curiosity. People stop. They ask questions. They talk.

Vision

LA STÅ! challenges the idea that cultural services must happen inside cultural institutions.

Instead of waiting for youth to enter the library, the library enters the city.

The project envisions a Deichman that actively meets people where they are — making literature accessible not only as books on shelves, but as shared public experiences.

Literature should not require high thresholds.
It should be available to everyone.