Abstract

Para conocer el grado de empoderamiento o riesgo de exclusión digital de los usuarios en situación vulnerable que acuden a la Biblioteca Regional de Murcia se diseñó una investigación cualitativa basada en dos técnicas: la entrevista (a usuarios, a personal bibliotecario, a técnicos de entidades sociales y a los tres últimos directores de la biblioteca) y la observación participante. Estudiamos los factores de exclusión de los sujetos, sus motivaciones para utilizar los servicios bibliotecarios y su valoración de los mismos, así como su nivel de acceso a las tecnologías y su competencia digital. Se concluye que estas personas, aunque utilizan la biblioteca primeramente como centro de conexión a Internet con fines tanto de ocio como de comunicación y de estudio o búsqueda de empleo, valoran también la socialización que logran en la biblioteca como espacio confortable, normalizado e inclusivo en el que se sienten integrados y donde se desenvuelven sin limitaciones para fines lúdicos o funcionales. AbstractThis research is based on two qualitative techniques applied to further understand the levels of digital risk or empowerment of vulnerable users visiting Murcia Regional Library. Library users and staff, social workers, and the three most recent library managers were interviewed; participatory observation was applied. We studied the exclusion factors of users, their motivation for using library services, and their information and digital competencies. We conclude that these persons use the library primarily as a center for both leisure and media Internet purposes and also occasionally to study or job search. Nevertheless, and above all, they value the library as a comfortable, normalized, and inclusive space, in which they feel integrated and where, without limits, they can stay for leisure or practical purposes.

Abstract

This research is based on two qualitative techniques applied to further understand the levels of digital risk or empowerment of vulnerable users visiting Murcia Regional Library. Library users and staff, social workers, and the three most recent library managers were interviewed; participatory observation was applied. We studied the exclusion factors of users, their motivation for using library services, and their information and digital competencies. We conclude that these persons use the library primarily as a center for both leisure and media Internet purposes and also occasionally to study or job search. Nevertheless, and above all, they value the library as a comfortable, normalized, and inclusive space, in which they feel integrated and where, without limits, they can stay for leisure or practical purposes.