sökträffarna

Sökträffarna is a term used in Swedish to describe informal gatherings where participants work together to find information. The name is a compound of sök (to search) and träffarna (the hits or meetings). It does not refer to a single organization, but rather to a type of event that can be hosted by libraries, archives, genealogical societies, schools, or community groups.

The gatherings are commonly linked to genealogical research and local history, though the concept is applicable to any information-seeking activity. Attendees may work on personal research projects or assist others with difficult questions, sharing approaches and resources in a collaborative setting.

Typical activities at sökträffarna include demonstrations of search techniques, discussions of effective query strategies, and practical work with archival databases, parish records, census data, newspaper archives, and other historical sources. Participants often exchange tips on source evaluation, citation, and finding alternative records that can illuminate a research problem.

Format and organization vary widely. Sökträffarna are usually scheduled as part of library programs, archives outreach, or community events, and can take place in person or online. They are frequently free or low-cost and open to interested adults and students. While some meetings are structured with short presentations, many are informal problem-solving sessions focused on collaborative learning.

See also: genealogical research, information literacy, community learning, archival research.