Abstract

Two closely related aspects of the information and documentation sector -university education and labour market- are discussed. We consider the equivalencies and transferability of previous courses and degrees for credit towards the Information and Documentation degree, and some possible effects of the new three-year degrees. In relation to the labour market in our sector, we discuss the opacity of our contribution to the digital content economy. Summarized in tables, the most striking results of our analysis of employment and unemployment rates and types of job openings posted in information and documentation in 2014 are presented and discussed.

Abstract

It is suggested that university librarians should collaborate in the correct implementation of orcid (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) author identifiers. There is a danger of duplicating the orcids when a university decides to implement a mass registration of its researchers. Librarians have a complex and valuable field of action, giving advice to researchers about signature formats and the characteristics and advantages of orcid identifiers.

Abstract

In recent years academic librarians have focussed their activities on supporting researchers in various aspects of their scientific activity. In this scenario of support for research and bibliometric studies, librarians increasingly need to know, test, experiment with, use and disseminate altmetrics (alternative metrics). A review of altmetrics indicators is presented, and the role of librarians is considered, particularly university librarians, who should be active and engaged in this area. Steps that librarians should take to incorporate almetrics into their daily work routine are proposed.

Abstract

The economic crisis has been harmful for libraries. Although the studies that have been done by professional associations have given evidence of their economic and social value, the reasons given to justify budget cuts and closures show that the real problem is not an economic problem but one of perception: Politicians and citizens give libraries a secondary place when competing with other basic services for financing. Everyone recognizes the past importance of libraries, but few situate them in contemporary education, information, and knowledge. The future of libraries depends mostly on what people think of them. Professionals can help to build a new popular awareness that places value on the idea of the library’s utility and neutralizes its presumed digital obsolescence. In this sense, technology is changing the role that institutions play, as well as the space that they have traditionally occupied. Technology has also changed our expectations towards institutions. In order to make the library something appealing and useful, the librarian must be able to facilitate the interconnection (cooperation, networking, benchmarking, and co-creation) and seek to reduce the barriers between the library as an institution and the users.

Abstract

To update "Fesabid's report on information professionals in Spain” published in 2011, we review “Statistics on Spanish libraries 2012”. The impact of the economic crisis on the profession is assessed. We analyze whether the conclusions of Fesabid's study have been taken into account and are still valid.

Abstract

With desktop availability of electronic publications, researchers have reduced significantly their visits to libraries. A new role for librarians is described: their integration into academic departments, becoming part of research teams. They would perform tasks such as information searching for projects, database management, uploading documents to repositories, writing reports, building and maintaining web sites, preserving datasets, etc.

Abstract

The professional commitment of those who work in the information sector goes beyond the exercise of their technical activities. We live in a time when problems are universal. Therefore, we can’t disconnect from our tasks when we leave the workplace. The social reality ethically engages information professionals in cooperative development activities. This text reflects on this commitment and the different ways to carry it out.

Abstract

Digital information, digital books and the World Wide Web are gaining an increasing and accelerated importance over paper resources. Therefore, it is time for librarians to begin to assume new roles, including the construction, maintenance and management of websites for each library, as long as its resources permit. Acquisition and application of information architecture and usability skills are essential for good design of these digital libraries, along with the identification of valuable resources on the Web, the development of repositories and the creation and management of digital communities around the library’s website using the tools of Web 2.0. This process should be accompanied by corresponding changes at the political level to facilitate the allocation of the financial resources, technology, training and human resources necessary to do so.