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The article aims to introduce Traniello's paper "L'eclissi delle biblioteche nel dibattito politico italiano," which serves as an effective synthesis of the development of the organization of Italian public libraries and an analysis of the political debate that has arisen over the years. Furthermore, the paper is a testimony to the author's original approach to these themes and contains much food for thought that testifies to his civic passion. Emphasizing the importance of improving and expanding a network of efficient and accessible library services, the paper underscores the significance of this endeavor in nation-building efforts.

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The paper reflects on La biblioteca pubblica e la sua reputazione, Maria Stella Rasetti's last book, published by Editrice bibliografica. The reflection starts from the reputation as object of study of different disciplines (such as communication, marketing, economics, sociology) and analyzes the importance of library reputation, closely associated with identity and image. Rasetti identifies four classes to place Italian public libraries and proposes a model to measure library reputation, adapted from business models, which uses personalized questionnaires for each class. The paper analyzes model validity and contextualizes it in the field of user satisfaction, performance and libraries impact. The hope is that measuring reputation can help public libraries to build a new narrative that overcomes public administration stereotypes of which they are victims, and to equip citizens with useful skills for work, everyday and social life, making them active and conscious protagonists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes a new methodological approach to collection evaluation in public libraries, with the aim to read bibliographic and usage data in a less self-referential way and to improve collection development and management. Behind this approach there are two integrated types of analysis. The first one is a quantitative and qualitative benchmarking between different library collections: the attention focuses on the size of collections, the variety, the publishers, the subjects, the circulation data. The second type of analysis concerns the benchmarking between library collections and editorial production. Also in this case, the comparison covers the quantitative aspects (number of books selected by libraries and number of books published), the qualitative aspects (subjects, types of documents, Conspectus levels) and the usage data (loans and sales). The paper illustrates the results of a first and experimental application of this methodological approach for the analysis of collection portions of 26 public libraries (belonged to two Italian library systems), that are compared with the editorial production of the subject area Social sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper illustrates the results of a survey conducted in the period January-February 2023 involving the users of the Turin Public Libraries, an urban system currently affected by a significant strategic rethinking process. Through the analysis of the answers to questionnaire provided by 3,926 people, it was possible to bring to light the complexity and the multidimensionality of the act of reading and to gather interesting information on three central issues: the process that leads readers to choose the book; the libraries' role in fostering and enriching the reading experience; the complementarity between book and other form of access to narrative world, both outside and within libraries. These cognitive elements can help both to improve the collection development policies and to favor the meeting between readers and collections, also through their integrated and transmedial organization within an enriched physical and virtual bibliographic space, which stimulates and enhances the reading experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper takes as its focal point falsehood as an issue in the post-factual truth society. After reaffirming that the concept of truth represents a fundamental element for the very survival of democracy, and having specified its meaning (too often misrepresented), the paper discusses the impact and ambivalence of the Web as a place of production and dissemination of counterfactual information, highlighting how the loss of credibility of traditional knowledge validation authorities has deeper and remote roots. It supports the need and the possibility of opposing a drift indifferent to truth, understood as continuous research and as a public debate based on evidence and questions and not as dogma. Finally, it highlights a role that is not only possible, but already more than glimpsed by public libraries in relation to a problem that cannot be ignored, touching their very raison d'être. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the first part the paper illustrates the results of an analysis of the Italian editorial production on LGBTQ+ issues, limited to non-fiction for adults published between 2016 and the first half of 2021. Subsequently, the analysis focuses on the representativeness of these publications within the collections of the library systems located in ten large Italian cities. A comparative study is carried out on various aspects: years of publication, publishers, DDC classes, Conspectus levels, usage data. Moreover, through interviews with librarians a qualitative survey is also conducted, to bring to light additional elements, including the reasons and criteria for the acquisition or the non-acquisition of LGBTQ+ titles. In conclusion, after a comparison with similar studies conducted in other geographical contexts, the author tries to understand whether cognitive biases are among the factors influencing the development of LGBTQ+ collections. Bringing out any bias is fundamental to make librarians more aware and to emphasize the professional ethics and the principles of plurality on which the concept of public library is based. This type of study also allows to obtain detailed information elements to be taken into account in projects aimed at implementing recommendation systems that exploit the potential of Artificial Intelligence and, in particular, of machine learning: it should not be forgotten, in fact, that algorithmic biases reflect real-world biases. temi e analisi [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reflects on the future of libraries, moving from Disegnare il futuro della biblioteca: linee guida per la redazione dei piani strategici per le biblioteche pubbliche (i.e. Drawing library futures: guidelines for strategic planning in public libraries), the document issued in autumn 2020 by the National Commission for Public Libraries of the Italian Library Association. The pandemic crisis accelerated a series of social, economic and cultural phenomena; on the one hand, this highlighted the capacity of adaptability and response demonstrated by the cultural sector, most of all its ability to face the digital demand and other emerging needs; on the other hand, though, the situation highlighted the gaps and inefficiency of short-term approaches and visions, and revealed the infrastructural weakness, a certain fragility in the organizations and a lack of those skills needed to face the change. In this historical moment, strategic planning can represent an important advocacy opportunity for public libraries, as emerging goals are being agreed upon with stakeholders and in economic, human and planning resources are being negotiated with funders and policy makers. In this sense, the document can become the perfect tool at the right time, capable of fostering the overall growth of political awareness of the role that libraries can and must play in the new scenario; moreover, it also represents a compass to identify the necessary programmatic, technical, administrative, economic, organizational and cultural connections, which are prerequisites to start the transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world of publishing distribution has increasingly become an object of interest for both industrial production and the readers. The recent past showed that books must be selected carefully not only by bookshop managers for their buyers, but also by libraries for their users. Libraries themselves are examined in their relation with publishing distribution: the paper presents an initial analysis of the process enacted to pursue the goal that each individual title may fruitfully contribute to the growth of the whole library collection. The research considers only the acquisition of print monographs from some of the most important suppliers of both public and academic libraries; with these vendors it was possible to entertain a crucial and essential direct discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After more than thirty years of immigration, Italian society is profoundly multicultural, but lacks social cohesion. This cohesion could be achieved through a stable and continuous intercultural dialogue within the population. To achieve this dialogue, libraries could assume a relevant role as they are public and friendly spaces open to everyone. Librarians could create safe social spaces to build equality into the relationships between different cultures. The paper discusses the results of a comparative analysis between six different institutions that have offered excellent services to foreign citizens in their area in the past decades: the Regional library “Bruno Salvadori” of Aosta, the Salaborsa library of Bologna, the City libraries of Modena, the Lazzerini library of Prato and the Polo regionale di documentazione interculturale della Regione Toscana, the Intercultural service of Public libraries of Rome, the City libraries of Turin. In each one of these six institutions, librarians brought about a fundamental change. Instead of offering library services dedicated exclusively to foreign citizens, they managed to create library services designed for every citizen, including those with different languages and different cultural backgrounds. From this comparative analysis it is possible to extrapolate eight guidelines to create an intercultural library. This new intercultural library, by giving relevance to different cultures, must be a mirror of Italy’s multicultural society and should shape tomorrow’s society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the origins and development of the reference service and how it has become the most important practice within libraries. Through a historical investigation that begins in the second half of the nineteenth century and continues beyond the middle of the twentieth century, the diffusion of this activity in its various components and ramifications is outlined, focusing on the application differences present in the various types of library institutions. The research analyzes the causes that led to the birth of this activity, which has completely revolutionized the way of perceiving libraries and their work. Using the sources of the main authors who have dealt with this topic, it is possible to understand the growth of the concept of “assistance” towards readers, its various extensions and above all the consequences that these ideas had on the evolution of the image of libraries within the society.

Social exclusion in later life involves the marginalization of older adults from all aspects of life in today’s society and requires a significant change in public and social policy in ageing societies. Particularly excluded from all aspects of life are (older) people suffering from some form of dementia. Public library services are tailored to meet the informational and recreational needs of all population groups and are particularly suited to help overcome problems of exclusion. However, the research indicates that dementia library services are still in their very beginnings in most countries, including Croatia. This paper presents the goals and results of two projects carried out by the Department of Information Sciences of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Croatia. Those projects deal with information needs and public library services of people with dementia (in particular, Alzheimer’s disease) and their caregivers.

Es descriu el projecte de disseny i implementació del web de la Biblioteca Pública de Palma Can Sales per mitjà d'un sistema de gestió de continguts open source que permeti integrar les noves tecnologies de la informació i comunicació, obtenir un major grau d'accessibilitat i usabilitat i un disseny visual més amigable, acord amb les noves tendències web. S'incorporen les noves eines web 2.0 per aconseguir una major participació dels usuaris en l'elaboració dels continguts i millorar així els serveis oferts. Finalment, es destaca en aquest procés la utilització d'eines, extensions i altres aplicacions de programari lliure en totes les etapes del seu desenvolupament.Se describe el proyecto de diseño e implementación de la página web de la Biblioteca Pública de Can Sales a través de un sistema de gestión de contenidos open source que permita integrar las nuevas tecnologías de la información y comunicación, obtener un mayor grado de accesibilidad y usabilidad y un diseño visual más amigable acorde con las nuevas tendencias web. Se incorporan las nuevas herramientas web 2.0 para conseguir una mayor participación de los usuarios en la elaboración de los contenidos y mejorar así los servicios ofrecidos. Finalmente se destaca en este proceso la utilización de herramientas, extensiones y demás aplicaciones de software libre en todas las etapas de su desarrollo.This paper reports on the design and development of the website of Can Sales, the public library in Palma, Majorca whose open source contents management system has made it possible to integrate the new ITs, improve site accessibility and usability and make the websites visual experience more user friendly. The website has incorporated new Web 2.0 tools to improve its services and allow users to participate more actively in the design and development of the contents. Finally, the paper also focuses on the importance, at all stages of the project, of the tools, extensions and other open source software that have contributed to developing the site.

Es descriu el projecte de disseny i implementació del web de la Biblioteca Pública de Palma Can Sales per mitjà d'un sistema de gestió de continguts open source que permeti integrar les noves tecnologies de la informació i comunicació, obtenir un major grau d'accessibilitat i usabilitat i un disseny visual més amigable, acord amb les noves tendències web. S'incorporen les noves eines web 2.0 per aconseguir una major participació dels usuaris en l'elaboració dels continguts i millorar així els serveis oferts. Finalment, es destaca en aquest procés la utilització d'eines, extensions i altres aplicacions de programari lliure en totes les etapes del seu desenvolupament.Se describe el proyecto de diseño e implementación de la página web de la Biblioteca Pública de Can Sales a través de un sistema de gestión de contenidos open source que permita integrar las nuevas tecnologías de la información y comunicación, obtener un mayor grado de accesibilidad y usabilidad y un diseño visual más amigable acorde con las nuevas tendencias web. Se incorporan las nuevas herramientas web 2.0 para conseguir una mayor participación de los usuarios en la elaboración de los contenidos y mejorar así los servicios ofrecidos. Finalmente se destaca en este proceso la utilización de herramientas, extensiones y demás aplicaciones de software libre en todas las etapas de su desarrollo.This paper reports on the design and development of the website of Can Sales, the public library in Palma, Majorca whose open source contents management system has made it possible to integrate the new ITs, improve site accessibility and usability and make the websites visual experience more user friendly. The website has incorporated new Web 2.0 tools to improve its services and allow users to participate more actively in the design and development of the contents. Finally, the paper also focuses on the importance, at all stages of the project, of the tools, extensions and other open source software that have contributed to developing the site.

The Women and LGTBIQ+ Work Group was created in 2019 to respond to the forecast of an increase in the number of specialized collections on women, feminism and LGTBIQ+ in public libraries. Its first objective was to draw up a document to establish guidelines and to aid the management and creation of new specialized collections on these topics based on the previous experience of several libraries in the library network of the Diputació de Barcelona. The article begins by describing the working group methodology, summarizes the most relevant contents of the resulting Document (published in 2021) and reviews the experiences of the libraries in Vilanova i Geltrú, which have created new specialized centres in accordance with the guidelines. The next section discusses the present and future of the work group, focusing on the second objective: the review of the indexing of the subjects in the collective catalogue in order to find inconsistencies and suggest changes, and the assignment of new subjects to the documents related to the areas of knowledge concerned, in order to make them more accessible. This paper highlights the importance of networking with other libraries and specialized offices, of sharing knowledge and experiences when addressing complex issues, and the need to keep a gender perspective in mind throughout the library and throughout the library system. It also stresses the need for library professionals to receive continuous training in these areas.

The Women and LGTBIQ+ Work Group was created in 2019 to respond to the forecast of an increase in the number of specialized collections on women, feminism and LGTBIQ+ in public libraries. Its first objective was to draw up a document to establish guidelines and to aid the management and creation of new specialized collections on these topics based on the previous experience of several libraries in the library network of the Diputació de Barcelona. The article begins by describing the working group methodology, summarizes the most relevant contents of the resulting Document (published in 2021) and reviews the experiences of the libraries in Vilanova i Geltrú, which have created new specialized centres in accordance with the guidelines. The next section discusses the present and future of the work group, focusing on the second objective: the review of the indexing of the subjects in the collective catalogue in order to find inconsistencies and suggest changes, and the assignment of new subjects to the documents related to the areas of knowledge concerned, in order to make them more accessible. This paper highlights the importance of networking with other libraries and specialized offices, of sharing knowledge and experiences when addressing complex issues, and the need to keep a gender perspective in mind throughout the library and throughout the library system. It also stresses the need for library professionals to receive continuous training in these areas.

S'analitza la situació de l'aplicació de la Llei 19/2006, de 23 de novembre, del sistema bibliotecari de les Illes Balears. Es fan saber els antecedents de l'arxipèlag balear, l'evolució de les biblioteques i l'assumpció de les competències en matèria bibliotecària per part de les distintes administracions, com són el Govern de les Illes Balears i els Consells Insulars. Es fa un repàs del procés de gestació del sistema bibliotecari i del procés de legislació que va finalitzar amb l'aprovació de la Llei 19/2006, de 23 de novembre. Finalment, s'analitza l'estat de desenvolupament i compliment de cada una de les obligatorietats que marca la Llei per part de les diferents administracions competents, cosa que fa palès un cert retard generalitzat, malgrat que s'han començat a produir avanços importants.This paper analyses the implementation of Act 19/23 November 2006 on the library system in the Balearic Islands. The background of the Balearic archipelago is presented, as well as the development of the libraries and the responsibilities for library matters that have been assumed by the different levels of government, such as the Government of the Balearic Islands and the Island Councils. In addition, the paper reviews the process of creating the library system and the legislative process that concluded with the approval of Act 19/23 November 2006. Finally, we assess the implementation of and compliance with each of the obligations in the Act by the various levels of government. A certain general delay in implementation was found, despite the fact that considerable progress has been made.

Con la reciente inauguración de la Biblioteca Ca l'Oliveres de Lliçà d'Amunt, la Red de Bibliotecas Municipales de la provincia de Barcelona ha llegado a 200 equipamientos. Este despliegue bibliotecario responde a la apuesta de los municipios y de la Gerencia de Servicios de Bibliotecas de la Diputación de Barcelona para ofrecer a los ciudadanos un servicio bibliotecario de calidad. Parece un buen momento para que la experiencia acumulada sea el punto de partida de un recorrido por las diferentes etapas que conllevan la creación de una nueva biblioteca, poniendo especial énfasis en los aspectos de planificación y de arquitectura. El artículo contiene una doble mirada. Por un lado, se describe cada etapa detallando principalmente el seguimiento de los aspectos arquitectónicos. Por otro, se ejemplifica con un caso concreto: el proceso de creación de la nueva Biblioteca Esteban Paluzie de Barberà del Vallès, inaugurada el 27 de junio de 2009. El análisis por etapas y el estudio de caso pueden ser de utilidad a los profesionales implicados en proyectos de creación o mejora de bibliotecas.The recent opening of the Ca l'Oliveres Library in the town of Lliçà d'Amunt has brought the number of centres in the Province of Barcelona's Municipal Libraries Network to two hundred. This extensive network is due to the commitment of Barcelona Provincial Council's Library Services Management Unit and of the towns to provide a quality library service for the general public. It seems an appropriate point at which to use the accumulated experience as the basis for a review of the various stages involved in creating a new library, with a particular emphasis on the aspects of planning and architecture. The paper focuses on two main areas. Firstly, we describe each stage, with a particular emphasis on monitoring architectural aspects. Secondly, we use a specific case study as an example: the process of creating the new Esteve Paluzie Library in Barberà del Vallès, which opened on 27 June 2009. We consider that this paper will be of use to other professionals involved in projects to create or improve libraries.

Se analiza la situación de la aplicación de la Ley 19/2006, de 23 de noviembre, del sistema bibliotecario de las Illes Balears. Se pone en antecedentes sobre el archipiélago balear, la evolución de las bibliotecas y la asunción de las competencias sobre las mismas por parte de las distintas administraciones, cómo son el Gobierno de las Illes Balears y los Consejos Insulares. Se hace un repaso del proceso de gestación del sistema bibliotecario y del proceso de legislación que finalizó con la aprobación de la Ley 19/2006, de 23 de noviembre. Finalmente, se analiza el estado de desarrollo y cumplimiento de cada una de las obligatoriedades que marca la ley por parte de las diferentes administraciones competentes, quedando patente un cierto retraso generalizado, aunque se han empezado a producir avances importantes.This paper analyses the implementation of Act 19/23 November 2006 on the library system in the Balearic Islands. The background of the Balearic archipelago is presented, as well as the development of the libraries and the responsibilities for library matters that have been assumed by the different levels of government, such as the Government of the Balearic Islands and the Island Councils. In addition, the paper reviews the process of creating the library system and the legislative process that concluded with the approval of Act 19/23 November 2006. Finally, we assess the implementation of and compliance with each of the obligations in the Act by the various levels of government. A certain general delay in implementation was found, despite the fact that considerable progress has been made.

Amb la recent inauguració de la Biblioteca Ca l'Oliveres de Lliçà d'Amunt, la Xarxa de Biblioteques Municipals de la província de Barcelona ha arribat a 200 equipaments. Aquest desplegament bibliotecari respon a l'aposta dels municipis i de la Gerència de Serveis de Biblioteques de la Diputació de Barcelona per poder oferir als ciutadans un servei bibliotecari de qualitat. Sembla un bon moment perquè l'experiència acumulada sigui el punt de partida per fer un recorregut per les diferents etapes que comporten la creació d'una biblioteca nova, posant especial un èmfasi especial en els aspectes de planificació i arquitectura. L'article té una doble mirada. D'una banda, es descriu cada etapa detallant principalment el seguiment dels aspectes arquitectònics. De l'altra, s'exemplifica amb un cas concret: el procés de creació de la nova Biblioteca Esteve Paluzie de Barberà del Vallès, inaugurada el 27 de juny de 2009. Confiem que aquest treball sigui d'utilitat a altres professionals implicats en projectes de creació o millora de biblioteques.The recent opening of the Ca l'Oliveres Library in the town of Lliçà d'Amunt has brought the number of centres in the Province of Barcelona's Municipal Libraries Network to two hundred. This extensive network is due to the commitment of Barcelona Provincial Council's Library Services Management Unit and of the towns to provide a quality library service for the general public. It seems an appropriate point at which to use the accumulated experience as the basis for a review of the various stages involved in creating a new library, with a particular emphasis on the aspects of planning and architecture. The paper focuses on two main areas. Firstly, we describe each stage, with a particular emphasis on monitoring architectural aspects. Secondly, we use a specific case study as an example: the process of creating the new Esteve Paluzie Library in Barberà del Vallès, which opened on 27 June 2009. We consider that this paper will be of use to other professionals involved in projects to create or improve libraries.

Objectiu. Aquest assaig té com a objectiu analitzar si existeix un nexe entre el paper de les biblioteques públiques a la societat contemporània i l'aplicació del paradigma de la llarga cua al món físic. Concretament, l'article es pregunta com s'han de concebre les noves biblioteques públiques centrals de grans dimensions i com s'han de replantejar les biblioteques locals i de barri dins la xarxa bibliotecària urbana. -- Metodologia. Introducció i anàlisi del paradigma de la llarga cua a partir del llibre de Chris Anderson de 2006, per tal d'entendre quines conseqüències pot tenir en la utilització de les biblioteques i, per tant, en la manera de projectar-les. L'anàlisi es duu a terme mitjançant recursos teòrics i se sustenta, per a la reflexió, en els aspectes que han posat en relleu els casos de la Biblioteca Sala Borsa de Bolonya i els Idea Stores de Londres. -- Resultats. Com a conclusió, es pot dir que el paradigma de la llarga cua fa que l'oferta bibliotecària genèrica, caracteritzada per una possibilitat d'opció massa limitada, sigui poc atractiva. Per tant, les biblioteques públiques centrals han de poder disposar d'edificis grans i funcionals, fons variats i horaris amplis, una gamma extensa de serveis i activitats d'entreteniment educatiu (en anglès, edutainment) i una gran capacitat de desenvolupar un paper social i d'entreteniment, a més de l'estrictament cultural. D'altra banda, les biblioteques locals i de barri no poden sobreviure si no tenen unes dimensions mínimes determinades, llevat que apostin per temes, cultures o llengües pròpies de l'àrea de referència i complementàries respecte a l'oferta conjunta del territori, o bé s'orienten a aquells col·lectius que no tenen la possibilitat o la capacitat de desplaçar-se extensivament per la ciutat (gent gran, nens, minusvàlids, etc.). Dit d'una altra manera, les biblioteques públiques haurien de valorar el seu paper d'intermediàries amb altres serveis bibliogràfics especialitzats presents en el territori, i alhora plantejar altres oportunitats formatives, informatives, culturals i d'entreteniment, disponibles dins l'àrea metropolitana i fora.Objective. This paper analyses whether there is a link between the role of public libraries in contemporary society and the application of the long tail theory to the physical world. Specifically, it discusses how new large central public libraries should be conceived and how local libraries should be redefined within a city's library network. -- Method. The long tail theory from the book by Chris Anderson (2006) was introduced and analysed, to understand its potential impact on the use of libraries and thus on library planning. The analysis was carried out using theoretical resources. To promote reflection, it was supported by aspects highlighted in case studies of the Sala Borsa Library in Bologna and the Idea Stores in London. -- Results. To conclude, the long tail theory may mean that library offerings are not generally very appealing and are characterized by a range of options that is too limited. Therefore, central public libraries should be housed in large, functional buildings, have varied collections, long opening hours, an extensive range of services and edutainment activities, and a considerable capacity to play a role in social, leisure and purely cultural activities. -- Local libraries cannot survive unless they are a certain minimum size or focus on specific subjects, cultures or languages related to an area of reference. They should complement the total library offerings in the region or be aimed at groups that do not have the opportunity or ability to travel large distances within the city (senior citizens, children, people with disabilities, etc.). In other words, public libraries must assess their role as intermediaries with other specialized library services in the region, and offer other opportunities within and outside the metropolitan area in the fields of education, information, culture and entertainment.

S'estructuren i es defineixen els instruments bàsics de la planificació estratègica del servei de biblioteca pública a partir de l'experiència de la Gerència de Serveis de Biblioteques de la Diputació de Barcelona. Els diferents elements s'organitzen en tres àmbits temàtics —la planificació territorial del servei, la creació i millora de biblioteques, i la gestió i l'avaluació del servei— i en dos àmbits territorials —àmbit supramunicipal i àmbit municipal— amb relació a les competències de les diferents administracions en matèria de biblioteca pública del nostre país. Es pretén que la informació sigui d'utilitat tant per als professionals de la biblioteca pública com per als responsables tècnics i polítics dels nostres ajuntaments. Així mateix, es creu que pot interessar també en realitats territorials on la planificació està menys implementada, en altres comunitats autònomes de l'Estat espanyol i en països de l'Amèrica Llatina. L'article té de rerefons l'impuls d'aquests aspectes de la planificació estratègica, imprescindibles en tota política pública.The paper defines the basic tools for the strategic planning of public library services on the basis of the experience of the Library Services Management of the Diputació de Barcelona. The elements are structured into three thematic areas — regional planning of services, library creation and improvement, and service management and assessment — and two levels — above local, and local — regarding the competences in the area of the public libraries of the various government offices in Catalonia. This information will be useful both for public library professionals and for experts and professionals in the local councils. It will also be of interest to regional governments with lower levels of planning in other regions of Spain and in Latin America. The paper promotes these aspects of strategic planning, which are indispensable in any public policy.

Se estructuran y se definen los instrumentos básicos de la planificación estratégica del servicio de biblioteca pública a partir de la experiencia de la Gerència de Serveis de Biblioteques de la Diputació de Barcelona. Los diferentes elementos se organizan en tres ámbitos temáticos –la planificación territorial del servicio, la creación y mejora de bibliotecas, y la gestión y evaluación del servicio– y en dos ámbitos territoriales –ámbito supramunicipal y ámbito municipal– con relación a las competencias de las diferentes administraciones en materia de biblioteca pública de nuestro país. Se pretende que la información sea de utilidad tanto para los profesionales de la biblioteca pública como para los responsables técnicos y políticos de nuestros ayuntamientos. Así mismo, se cree que puede interesar también en realidades territoriales donde la planificación está menos implementada, en otras comunidades autónomas del Estado Español y en países de América Latina. El artículo tiene de trasfondo el impulso de estos aspectos de la planificación estratégica, imprescindibles en toda política pública.The paper defines the basic tools for the strategic planning of public library services on the basis of the experience of the Library Services Management of the Diputació de Barcelona. The elements are structured into three thematic areas — regional planning of services, library creation and improvement, and service management and assessment — and two levels — above local, and local — regarding the competences in the area of the public libraries of the various government offices in Catalonia. This information will be useful both for public library professionals and for experts and professionals in the local councils. It will also be of interest to regional governments with lower levels of planning in other regions of Spain and in Latin America. The paper promotes these aspects of strategic planning, which are indispensable in any public policy.

Les biblioteques d'estiu, englobades en els serveis bibliotecaris d'espais públics, com ara els bibliobusos i els bibliomercats, són una eina excel·lent, per l'alta taxa d'ocupació i per la satisfacció dels usuaris, que utilitzen nombroses biblioteques públiques espanyoles des dels anys vuitanta, per promoure la lectura en espais oberts aprofitant la nombrosa concurrència, les bones condicions climàtiques del territori i el període estival, amb més temps lliure i dies més llargs. En aquest àmbit, presentem l'experiència viscuda en la biblioteca d'estiu d'Alcossebre des de la creació i n'analitzem les peculiaritats, les realitzacions aconseguides i les millores possibles.Las bibliotecas de verano, englobadas en los servicios bibliotecarios de espacios públicos, como por ejemplo los bibliobuses y los bibliomercados, son una herramienta excelente, por su alta tasa de ocupación y por la satisfacción de los usuarios. Desde los años ochenta numerosas bibliotecas públicas españolas las utilizan para promover la lectura en espacios abiertos aprovechando la numerosa concurrencia, las buenas condiciones climáticas del territorio y el periodo estival, con más tiempo libre y días más largos. En este ámbito, presentamos la experiencia vivida en la biblioteca de verano de Alcossebre desde la creación y analizamos las peculiaridades, los logros y las mejoras posibles.This paper describes the different options available to create user services that promote reading and knowledge transfer, foster cooperation with locally-funded Danish public libraries and help to establish online libraries or theme portals under the supervision of library staff. The process of cooperation and product distribution and use were possible thanks to a fully developed Internet infrastructure. A key element for the promotion of reading is the Internet portal litteratursiden.dk (Danish portal on literature), which enables authors to meet their readers online and promotes activities in libraries, such as meet the author sessions, presentations, debates and literary cafes. The easier and more attractive access to physical books through the online self-service facilities available at the library website – such as loans and reservations, reading advice services, classification and labelling at the CIAP – has significantly increased the reading opportunities for users. The paper describes experiences that make choosing a book more attractive, from online book presentations to mobile phone portals, and the possibilities for creating online user reading groups. It also discusses the potential of adopting a Web 2.0 philosophy and peer-to-peer promotion and content creation practices. Finally, it deals briefly with the possibility to bring together the online and the physical library through “marks” or “universes”, which can be the framework where the values of reading and literature are taught to different types of public.

The paper is the report of the International Research Conference about Library history held in The Sapienza University of Rome on September 27th and 28th 2018 “What happened in the library? Cosa è successo in biblioteca? Readers and libraries from historical investigations to current issues. Lettori e biblioteche tra indagine storica e problemi attuali”, coordinated by Ph. D in documentary, linguistic and literary sciences. On the first day, two sessions took place: a morning session titled Biblioteche, lettori, storia, attualità: orizzonti aperti and an afternoon session titled Le biblioteche pubbliche oggi tra irrilevanza, conflittualità e consumerismo. The first session of the second day was about Domande, risposte e nuove domande della ricerca storica sull’uso delle biblioteche, the last concerning Luoghi della lettura collettiva e cultura del Novecento: ricerche per una mappa. The aim of the international conference, bringing as witnesses original researches and international comparisons about use and attendance of libraries, was to analyze, with a historical perspective, the importance of libraries, especially public libraries, in cultural and personal growth of users and their social role.

Objectiu: aquest article analitza l'estat de la qüestió dels serveis de l'anomenat web 2.0, i per exclusió els 1.0, a les biblioteques públiques de la Red de Lectura Pública de Euskadi en línia i se centra en la província de Bizkaia. -- Metodologia: per tal de donar resposta als objectius plantejats en aquest treball, s'ha aplicat una metodologia basada en l'estudi de casos, amb la mesura de diferents dimensions i l'ús d'indicadors apropiats, alguns de molt habituals en aquest tipus de treballs i d'altres d'adaptats per aconseguir l'objectiu principal d'aquest treball. La recol·lecció de dades es va dur a terme durant el període comprès entre els mesos de setembre de 2012 i febrer de 2013. -- Resultats: hi ha una disparitat entre les biblioteques objecte d'aquest estudi. D'una banda, una varietat de biblioteques biscaïnes que estan en una fase d'oferir serveis 1.0; d'altra banda, algunes biblioteques estan en un estat de propostes 2.0 molt ampli, freqüent i mantingut en el temps. L'aportació principal d'aquest treball és la formulació de la taxa d'abandonament 2.0, indicador que quantifica l'efecte de la moda pel que fa als serveis 2.0.Objectives: This paper examines the provision of Web 2.0 services and the consequent exclusion of Web 1.0 services in different libraries in the Basque network of public online libraries (Euskadiko Irakurketa Publikoko Sarea) in the province of Biscay. -- Methodology: The researchers conducted case studies of different libraries in the network using a series of parameters and indicators to determine the provision of Web 2.0 and Web 1.0 services. Some of the parameters that were used are customary in the field while others were tailored to the requirements of the study. The data were retrieved during the period between September 2012 and February 2013. -- Results: A disparity was observed between the libraries where some libraries consistently offered just Web 1.0 services while others offered a wide range of Web 2.0 services, which were fully maintained and updated. The main findings of this study were presented in the formulation of a Web 2.0 drop rate, an indicator that quantifies the effect of the trend for Web 2.0 services.

Objetivo: este artículo analiza el estado de la cuestión de los servicios de la denominada web 2.0, y por exclusión los 1.0, en las bibliotecas públicas de la Red de Lectura Pública de Euskadi en línea centrándose en la provincia de Bizkaia. -- Metodología: para dar respuesta a los objetivos planteados en este trabajo, se ha aplicado una metodología basada en el estudio de casos, con la medida de diferentes dimensiones y el uso de indicadores apropiados, algunos de ellos muy habituales en este tipo de trabajos y otros adaptados para la consecución del principal objetivo de este trabajo. La recolección de datos se realizó durante el periodo comprendido entre los meses de septiembre de 2012 y febrero de 2013. -- Resultados: existe una disparidad entre las bibliotecas objeto de este estudio. Por un lado, una variedad de bibliotecas vizcaínas que están en una fase de oferta de servicios 1.0; por otro, algunas que están en un estado de propuestas 2.0 muy amplio, frecuente y mantenido en el tiempo. La principal aportación de este trabajo es la formulación de la tasa de abandono 2.0, indicador que cuantifica el efecto de la moda en lo que se refiere a los servicios 2.0.Objectives: This paper examines the provision of Web 2.0 services and the consequent exclusion of Web 1.0 services in different libraries in the Basque network of public online libraries (Euskadiko Irakurketa Publikoko Sarea) in the province of Biscay. -- Methodology: The researchers conducted case studies of different libraries in the network using a series of parameters and indicators to determine the provision of Web 2.0 and Web 1.0 services. Some of the parameters that were used are customary in the field while others were tailored to the requirements of the study. The data were retrieved during the period between September 2012 and February 2013. -- Results: A disparity was observed between the libraries where some libraries consistently offered just Web 1.0 services while others offered a wide range of Web 2.0 services, which were fully maintained and updated. The main findings of this study were presented in the formulation of a Web 2.0 drop rate, an indicator that quantifies the effect of the trend for Web 2.0 services.

Objectius: la incorporació dels llibres electrònics a les biblioteques suposa una sèrie de canvis en els processos de gestió de les col·leccions. En l'article s'aborden tots els aspectes afectats pels nous factors que s'introdueixen amb la gestió dels llibres electrònics. -- Metodologia: s'analitzen els canvis que es produeixen en els criteris de selecció i especialment en els nous condicionants que intervenen en el procés d'adquisició, considerant els models de negoci principals que s'estan aplicant. Pel que fa a l'avaluació, s'estableixen les dades estadístiques principals que s'han de tenir en compte per valorar aquests recursos. També s'analitzen breument les plataformes de préstec existents fins avui a Espanya (la Libranda, l'OdiloTK i el XeBook). -- Resultats: s'exposen, a manera de reflexió, una sèrie de conclusions en què es reflecteixen algunes qüestions clau que les biblioteques haurien d'assumir a l'hora de plantejar-se les actuacions i negociacions sobre el préstec de llibres electrònics.Objectives: incorporating e-books into public libraries requires a series of changes in the management processes of the libraries' collections. This paper addresses those aspects affected by the new factors arising with the management of e-books. -- Methodology: an analysis is undertaken of the changes in the selection criteria and, in particular, of the new determinants affecting the acquisition process, by examining the main business models that have been adopted. The most relevant statistical data are identified for evaluating these resources. A brief analysis is also provided of the lending platforms that have been used in Spain to date (Libranda, OdiloTK and Xe-book). -- Results: a series of conclusions are drawn, by way of reflection, that capture some of the key questions that libraries need to address when undertaking actions and entering into negotiations for the incorporation of e-book lending systems.

Objetivos: analizar cómo han evolucionado las actividades culturales de las bibliotecas populares de la provincia de Barcelona al iniciarse el período que va de 1959 a 1975, el llamadoObjectives: to analyse how the cultural activities of the popular libraries in the province of Barcelona evolved in the second period of Francoist Spain, that is between the years 1957 to 1975. This paper examines the type and nature of these activities; the interest they generated among the respective communities and the way in which the activities were adapted to a society that was undergoing profound changes; the importance of various social and cultural movements that emerged with particular strength in those years; the role played in them by Catalan language and culture; local alliances, and the extent to which these activities were guided by the authorities or responded to the initiative of the librarians. -- Methodology: an exhaustive report and analysis were undertaken of the activities organised in each of the popular libraries of the Provincial Council of Barcelona between 1957 and 1975, as reported in the Anuario de la Biblioteca Central y de las populares y especiales. The study examines all the popular libraries and the stable branch libraries that had a person responsible for their running. -- Results: it was during the sixties that the popular libraries were most active in promoting cultural activities. In general, they were well integrated within their respective communities and, thanks to the efforts of those responsible for their organisation, readers were able to follow closely the cultural movements that emerged in the capital: plays staged in the independent theatres, play readings, film forums, recitals of Nova Cançó promoting Catalan music etc. The libraries recovered their role as disseminators of culture, which they had had on being founded, and dedicated themselves once more to the task of promoting Catalan language and culture. Likewise, as in that earlier period, they once again became politically neutral spaces, but a neutrality that was characterised by its exclusive, non-integrative nature, which explains why they remained on the sidelines of certain social and political worries of the civil society of the day.

Objetivos: la incorporación de los libros electrónicos a las bibliotecas supone una serie de cambios en los procesos de gestión de las colecciones. En el artículo se abordan todos los aspectos que se ven afectados por los nuevos factores que se introducen con la gestión de los libros electrónicos. -- Metodología: se analizan los cambios que se producen en los criterios de selección y especialmente en los nuevos condicionantes que intervienen en el proceso de adquisición, analizando los principales modelos de negocio que se están aplicando. En cuanto a la evaluación, se establecen los principales datos estadísticos a tener en cuenta para valorar estos recursos. Se ofrece también un breve análisis de las plataformas de préstamo existentes hasta la fecha en España (Libranda, OdiloTK y XeBook). -- Resultados: se exponen, a modo de reflexión, una serie de conclusiones en las que se reflejan algunas cuestiones claves que las bibliotecas deberían asumir a la hora de plantearse las actuaciones y negociaciones sobre el préstamo de libros electrónicos.Objectives: incorporating e-books into public libraries requires a series of changes in the management processes of the libraries' collections. This paper addresses those aspects affected by the new factors arising with the management of e-books. -- Methodology: an analysis is undertaken of the changes in the selection criteria and, in particular, of the new determinants affecting the acquisition process, by examining the main business models that have been adopted. The most relevant statistical data are identified for evaluating these resources. A brief analysis is also provided of the lending platforms that have been used in Spain to date (Libranda, OdiloTK and Xe-book). -- Results: a series of conclusions are drawn, by way of reflection, that capture some of the key questions that libraries need to address when undertaking actions and entering into negotiations for the incorporation of e-book lending systems.

Objectius: analitzar com han evolucionat les activitats culturals de les biblioteques populars de la província de Barcelona en iniciar-se el període que va de 1959 a 1975, l'anomenatObjectives: to analyse how the cultural activities of the popular libraries in the province of Barcelona evolved in the second period of Francoist Spain, that is between the years 1957 to 1975. This paper examines the type and nature of these activities; the interest they generated among the respective communities and the way in which the activities were adapted to a society that was undergoing profound changes; the importance of various social and cultural movements that emerged with particular strength in those years; the role played in them by Catalan language and culture; local alliances, and the extent to which these activities were guided by the authorities or responded to the initiative of the librarians. -- Methodology: an exhaustive report and analysis were undertaken of the activities organised in each of the popular libraries of the Provincial Council of Barcelona between 1957 and 1975, as reported in the Anuario de la Biblioteca Central y de las populares y especiales. The study examines all the popular libraries and the stable branch libraries that had a person responsible for their running. -- Results: it was during the sixties that the popular libraries were most active in promoting cultural activities. In general, they were well integrated within their respective communities and, thanks to the efforts of those responsible for their organisation, readers were able to follow closely the cultural movements that emerged in the capital: plays staged in the independent theatres, play readings, film forums, recitals of Nova Cançó promoting Catalan music etc. The libraries recovered their role as disseminators of culture, which they had had on being founded, and dedicated themselves once more to the task of promoting Catalan language and culture. Likewise, as in that earlier period, they once again became politically neutral spaces, but a neutrality that was characterised by its exclusive, non-integrative nature, which explains why they remained on the sidelines of certain social and political worries of the civil society of the day.

Objectius. Descriure els documents i els recursos de suport bibliogràfic que fonamenten el desenvolupament de les col·leccions a les biblioteques del Sistema de Lectura Pública de Catalunya (polítiques documentals, serveis d'informació, etc.). I valorar quins són els procediments i les intervencions que poden reforçar els discursos bibliotecaris sobre les col·leccions de les biblioteques. -- Metodologia. Es fa una anàlisi dels documents de política de col·lecció de les biblioteques objecte d'estudi, així com dels serveis de suport bibliogràfic que participen en la configuració del fons de les biblioteques públiques. La lectura de les tendències apuntades per diferents especialistes internacionals en la matèria serveix de fonament per apuntar un horitzó d'expectatives del treball bibliotecari sobre les col·leccions. -- Resultats. Es constata la feblesa de la nostra tradició bibliotecària pel que fa a la redacció de documents formals de polítiques de col·lecció, així com la manca d'un treball cooperatiu que doni visibilitat i exploti les competències i el coneixement dels professionals bibliotecaris sobre l'oferta bibliogràfica. Les anàlisis dels experts apunten entre les línies estratègiques del futur de la biblioteca l'enfortiment del seu paper de mediadora i d'orientadora de continguts; les oportunitats són bones, tanmateix, les estratègies que permetrien sumar i rendibilitzar esforços encara estan per definir.

The aim of this paper is to describe the experience of cooperation between the Town Archive and the Public Library in Palafrugell (Baix Empordà, Catalonia) over the past 10 years. The transfer of these two services to new facilities (the library in 2011 and the archive in 2002), has meant an increase in staff and resources, and has made possible joint initiatives in response to shared user needs, raising resource efficiency and profitability. Most of the measures described do not require large investments of resources and are just a small sample of the cooperative projects taking place between facilities in a common sociodemographic context in Catalonia.

The paper presents two articles dealing with researches on users’ perception of libraries, the first with a quantitative approach, the latter with a qualitative approach: "Use and Awareness of Electronic Information Sources at IIT Roorkee, India: A Case Study", and "L'identità percepita: applicare la grounded theory in biblioteca". The authors underline the importance of sharing theories and practices on user surveys in order to gain skills of research methods and to widen research horizons. In Library Science, in fact, the habit is to use only quantitative methods of social research while carrying on customer satisfaction surveys, favouring the questionnaire instead of the interview or the focus group.The contents of the two articles are described, highlighting the main aspects: the quantitative survey on electronic resources within the Indian library shows the need to think on different informative needs, while the qualitative survey on the perception of public libraries is focused on the Grounded Theory, an effective approach to explore personal representations and understand a complex phenomenon.

Objetivo. Este ensayo tiene como objetivo analizar si existe un nexo entre el papel de las bibliotecas públicas en la sociedad contemporánea y la aplicación del paradigma de la larga cola al mundo físico. Concretamente, el artículo se pregunta cómo se tienen que concebir las nuevas bibliotecas públicas centrales de grandes dimensiones y cómo se tienen que replantear las bibliotecas locales y de barrio dentro de la red bibliotecaria urbana. -- Metodología. Introducción y análisis del paradigma de la larga cola a partir del libro de Chris Anderson de 2006, para entender qué consecuencias puede tener en la utilización de las bibliotecas y, por lo tanto, en la manera de proyectarlas. El análisis se lleva a cabo mediante recursos teóricos y se sustenta, para la reflexión, en los aspectos que han puesto de relieve los casos de la Biblioteca Sala Borsa de Bolonia y los Idea Stores de Londres. -- Resultats. Como conclusión, se puede decir que el paradigma de la larga cola hace que la oferta bibliotecaria genérica, caracterizada por una posibilidad de opción demasiado limitada, sea poco atractiva. Por lo tanto, las bibliotecas públicas centrales tienen que poder disponer de edificios grandes y funcionales, fondos variados y horarios amplios, una gama extensa de servicios y actividades de entretenimiento educativo (en inglés, edutainment) y una gran capacidad de desarrollar un papel social y de entretenimiento, además del estrictamente cultural. Por otro lado, las bibliotecas locales y de barrio no pueden sobrevivir si no tienen unas dimensiones mínimas determinadas, salvo que apuesten por temas, culturas o lenguas propias del área de referencia y complementarias respecto a la oferta conjunta del territorio, o bien se orientan a aquellos colectivos que no tienen la posibilidad o la capacidad de desplazarse de forma extensiva por la ciudad (gente mayor, niños, minusválidos, etc.). Dicho de otra manera, las bibliotecas públicas tendrían que valorar su papel de intermediarias con otros servicios bibliográficos especializados presentes en el territorio, y a la vez plantear otras oportunidades formativas, informativas, culturales y de entretenimiento, disponibles dentro del área metropolitana y fuera.Objective. This paper analyses whether there is a link between the role of public libraries in contemporary society and the application of the long tail theory to the physical world. Specifically, it discusses how new large central public libraries should be conceived and how local libraries should be redefined within a city's library network. -- Method. The long tail theory from the book by Chris Anderson (2006) was introduced and analysed, to understand its potential impact on the use of libraries and thus on library planning. The analysis was carried out using theoretical resources. To promote reflection, it was supported by aspects highlighted in case studies of the Sala Borsa Library in Bologna and the Idea Stores in London. -- Results. To conclude, the long tail theory may mean that library offerings are not generally very appealing and are characterized by a range of options that is too limited. Therefore, central public libraries should be housed in large, functional buildings, have varied collections, long opening hours, an extensive range of services and edutainment activities, and a considerable capacity to play a role in social, leisure and purely cultural activities. Local libraries cannot survive unless they are a certain minimum size or focus on specific subjects, cultures or languages related to an area of reference. They should complement the total library offerings in the region or be aimed at groups that do not have the opportunity or ability to travel large distances within the city (senior citizens, children, people with disabilities, etc.). In other words, public libraries must assess their role as intermediaries with other specialized library services in the region, and offer other opportunities within and outside the metropolitan area in the fields of education, information, culture and entertainment.

L’objectiu de l’article és analitzar el grau d’utilització d’Internet per part de les biblioteques públiques de Catalunya. Per a això, s’ha dut a terme una enquesta entre les biblioteques i s’han analitzat els llocs web de 109 biblioteques públiques catalanes. Els resultats obtinguts demostren la infrautilització de les possibilitats que la Xarxa posa a disposició de les biblioteques per desenvolupar productes i serveis digitals. Així mateix, s’ha detectat una pèrdua d’oportunitats en el paper d’informador a la comunitat que ha de tenir la biblioteca pública i que el desenvolupen altres agents. Igualment, es percep un alt interès dels professionals de les biblioteques per ser presents a la Xarxa, ja que són conscients que la pàgina web afavoreix la captació d’usuaris virtuals, als quals no s’ofereixen serveis, i la no presència a la Xarxa significa invisibilitat per al ciutadà de la societat de la informació.This article analyses the degree of usage of the Internet by Catalan public libraries. For this purpose, a survey was carried out among the libraries and an analysis was made of the web sites of 109 Catalan public libraries. The results showed the under-utilisation of the resources available on the Internet that can allow libraries to develop new digital products and services. Currently it has been detected that opportunities have been lost for maintaining the public library's traditional role of