Abstract

The economic crisis and the rapid advances of information technology have led to reflection about how libraries should face the digital challenge and the need to adapt daily work routines and professional profiles. This paper considers whether libraries are restrained environments that can have an inhibiting effect on their profesional staff, harming their adaptation to the new digital environment. There are several reasons for this: technology dependence, a workplace model that gives priority to established structures, the rigidity of the structures involved in the decision-making process, and attachment to our traditional roles.

Abstract

With the advent of digital books it is recommended that librarians take an active role, defending the rights of citizens to be able to continue enjoying free reading, and also maintaining their own image of being up-to-date professionals. Librarians should know technical, economic and legal details of the publishing world to act on new fronts, such as being literary agents, promoters of issues of local interest or licensing consultants.

Abstract

Our society is increasingly interconnected through multiple types of networks, and humankind is changing their habits accordingly, adapting to the use of new technologies. We explore the psycho-social characteristics that determine people’s behavior through the communication channels. We discuss some structures of networking in the field of Library and Information Science: mailing lists, directories, etc. We conclude that the work of the information professional fits perfectly in the current wave 2.0 of information sharing.