The aim of this thesis is to develop cooperation between Oulunsalo library and the schools – three comprehensive schools and one general upper secondary school. The study deals with what kind of cooperation there is in Oulunsalo and how the parties, library personnel and school teachers, see this cooperation. The thesis discusses the effects, benefits and challenges of the cooperation. Furthermore, the purpose of the thesis is to focus on the hopes and proposals of the parties regarding development of the cooperation. These can be used to improve the cooperation better than previously. The thesis is commissioned by Oulunsalo library.

The important part of the theoretical background is the knowledge of cooperation between public library and school. This consists of the basis, realization and areas of the cooperation. The most important areas are library use and information management education, media education and reading motivation. This section also discusses the methods: how to teach information management, media education or inspire pupils to read.

The research methods of this thesis comprise both qualitative and quantitative approaches. As a qualitative study, the aim is to create a general overview of the cooperation between Oulunsalo library and the schools. On the other hand, the research method is quantitative, i.e. a survey. Online surveys were targeted to both Oulunsalo library personnel and school teachers. By means of surveys the methods and effects of the cooperation and the opinions and hopes of responders were explored. Results were analyzed by focusing on what issues emerge regarding the current cooperation and hopes of parties.

As a summary of these survey results it can be said that the cooperation between Oulunsalo library and the schools is versatile and active. Survey respondents were mainly satisfied with the cooperation. However, there is room for development; for example, communication and planning together could be increased. Moreover, both parties wished for more media education in the future. It would be also a good idea to think about how to make methods of reading inspiration more versatile. At the end of the thesis there is a summary of the survey results and some methods to improve the cooperation. All in all, the thesis reached its aim: it did raise the hopes and opinions of parties to improve the cooperation. By listening and working for these hopes it is possible to enhance the cooperation between Oulunsalo library and the schools