Abstract

Library & Information science in Spain is currently facing serious problems because the divorce between the academic and the professional approach, being the first closer to the integration in the humanities and social sciences and the second with a more technological profile. The unfortunate proposal for a specific and differential treatment of the social sciences and humanities in the evaluation processes is going to penalize severely to our discipline and urgent and serious measures should be taken for avoiding a catastrophic situation. These measures include, among others, the pursuit of excellence, punishing the scientific fraud and plagiarism, and defending not only the publication but also the reading in English. An even stronger support of open access initiatives is a sound objective, including the adoption of new standards, such as for example the not well-known yet strategies of the new Book citation index. Today the professional profile should be more involved in the generation of content than in t its mere labeling, especially taking control of the usage statistics and indicators.

Abstract

The new definition of the professional profile of information managers in the digital era cannot be uniformly considered, but will be determined by particular variations in each sector. The specific field of audiovisual production, defined by the ever increasing consumption of image-based digital content and a fragmented market of providers, will require a multi-skill profile that is not always compatible with the former monographic identity of information managers in some organizations. This change will not be viable without the provision of appropriate training opportunities that cover all the main new skills requested by this sector, which are identified in this paper.

Abstract

Many different situations and factors can be obstacles to the professional growth of those who manage information and documentation. Some proposals are presented to try to surmount them, based on an analysis of selected messages from the IweTel professional list and personal reflections on the topic. The aim is to help sort out all the obstacles that we are presented with.

Abstract

The explosion of social web platforms has triggered the emergence of a new professional profile called community manager.The opportunities for graduates in library sciences to have access to these jobs are analyzed, taking into account the skills demanded in the current job offers and how Spanish universities have integrated them in their curricula.

Abstract

The biography of news researcher Liz Donovan, who died in 2008, serves as a thread of a journey through the profession of news librarian and describes the evolution of newspaper newsrooms throughout 40 years. Information systems and resources have changed -from paper clippings to the Internet and Web 2.0-, but the economic situation of the press has also changed, leading to cutbacks. Unfortunately, with the mistaken idea that “everything is on the Internet”, news companies are devaluing the contributions made by information professionals to newspaper content, and often close or decimate the news libraries, thus losing an important amount of know-how and quality.

Abstract

A 2007 survey and the views expressed by professionals active in the discussions generated by the Col·legi Oficial de Bibliotecaris-Documentalistes de Catalunya provide relevant data on the current profile and the demands of information and documentation professionals. A number of thoughts have emerged that led to the plan of action for the years 2007-2009. The most significant challenges that, according to the perception of the Col·legi, associations should consider in order to take an active role and reference in the current economic and social environment are also presented.