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Research on adults with ADHD is generally lacking, and this also extends to library and information science, despite disabled individuals being one of the priority groups according to the Swedish Library Act (SFS 2013:801). ADHD complicates everyday life, with heightened sensitivity to sensory input, difficulties in social interactions, and the need for more effort to complete daily tasks compared to neurotypical individuals. These symptoms can negatively impact library visits.

The purpose of this study was to explore how people with ADHD experience public libraries, the barriers they encounter, and how they envision an ideal library. We examined this through semi-structured interviews with adults with ADHD from various parts of Sweden, and we analyzed the data using both deductive and latent thematic analysis.T

he results revealed three themes: Thresholds for People with ADHD when Visiting the Library, An Adapted Library for People with ADHD, and The Library and Librarians' Role. While opinions varied among participants, common struggles included hightend levels of sensory input and challenges navigating the library. Based on participants' feedback, it became apparent that as they became more familiar with the library, many of these struggles lessened. Other factors that eased library visits included quiet, enclosed spaces, simplified processes, and minimizing the distance to the library. The study also highlighted the impact of stereotypes and societal norms related to libraries and librarians on the experiences of people with ADHD. Participants expressed stress in being quiet – this connecting to the stereotype of the quiet library.