Search

The successive economic and health crises that have marked the past decade have transformed the situation of Spanish public libraries. The objective of this work is to identify the impact, repercussions, and challenges after these crises and to try to describe both the role that public libraries must fulfill from this moment on, as well as the main training, organizational,and service needs that they must address. The applied methodology is mixed, applying several qualitative research techniques such as interviews with experts and discussion groups with library professionals together with a review of documents and good practices. The results reveal how the accumulation of negative effects has generated very diverse impacts, depending on various factors such as the size of the municipality, the degree of institutional support, or the job profiles of library staff. The social function of the library has been valued, as well as the work of inclusion and digital training, which after the pandemic is conceived in a unitary way. Likewise, there is an increase in the gap between libraries because the forms of response to crises depend on their context due to the absence of regional or national policies that support and harmonize the provision of minimum services or basic professional training. It is concluded that there is a need to articulate a new model of public libraries according to the current requirements of society and the general digital transformation.

Public libraries provide access to technology and digital competence, since training in the critical, reflective and purposive use of information is a compensatory factor for digital exclusion. This study seeks to analyse this training’s potential and limitations when designing and applying these services. The methodology is based on qualitative techniques such as interviews and discussion groups. Interviews were performed with ten reputedly expert librarians, using a questionnaire with nine questions about digital literacy services and the role that public libraries should play for digital inclusion. The views of public librarians from the Region of Murcia (Spain) were obtained through three discussion groups, selected according to the population size of the cities where their libraries are located. In addition to this, structured guidelines in accordance with topics on information literacy services, human and material resources, librarians’ training necessities or typology of users were followed. It emerges that librarians are highly committed to their function in digital literacy services and digital inclusion. However, this is restricted by the human and material resources at their disposal, and by the specific needs and demands associated with different types of users. The analysis concludes with some proposals for managing these services including collaboration strategies within private entities or public local departments.

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

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

Public libraries already assume, as one of their priorities, to facilitate access to information and digital literacy, understood as a requirement for the basic human right to information. Because of it, libraries facilitate information and digital literacy services devoted to improving users’ competences for a critical, reflexive and intentional use of information. This function has been recently valued as a compensatory factor of the digital divide of vulnerable user, and a way to reduce their degree of social exclusion. The aim of this research is to analyze the potential and limitations that public libraries present when design and apply information and digital literacy services for their users. The methodology is based on qualitative techniques as the interview and the discussion groups. Interviews to librarians were carried out to ten considered expert ones using a questionnaire including ten questions linked with the social function and about the role that public libraries should play for social inclusion of citizens. Points of view of public librarians of the Region of Murcia was obtained by means of three groups of discussion selected according with population size of cities where are located their libraries following the same script, structured according with topics about social inclusion services as their human and material resources, competences needed by librarians, typology of users, and so on. The discourses obtained confirm that librarians have different conceptions about the social function of the library and, therefore, manifest a different degree of commitment to this role. This commitment is conditioned by aspects such as resources, the type of users or the training of the librarian and, above all, the attitudes of librarians as well as local political leaders are very relevant. To minimize these restrictions, a set of leadership and collaboration strategies must be developed with other agents, external and internal, which are described in the document

[Resumen] Ceuta y Melilla son dos ciudades autónomas españolas que comparten una serie de características territoriales, jurídicas, económicas y demográficas. En ambos casos se trata de contextos fronterizos con Marruecos. Asimismo, ostentan un estatus de ciudad autónoma, si bien con limitadas potestades legislativas respecto a las comunidades autónomas, en varios ámbitos (Educación, Sanidad o Empleo), dependiendo en ellos del Estado para cubrir las necesidades de los ciudadanos de ambas ciudades, donde la diversidad cultural es otra de sus peculiaridades. Dadas las características de dichas ciudades autónomas su realidad social es bastante desconocida, ya que se omiten en un gran número de estudios autonómicos o bien se ofrecen sus datos de forma conjunta. Con el fin de llenar este vacío, este trabajo ofrece una visión de la situación social de ambas ciudades, así como la respuesta institucional con la que se cuenta en ellas. El análisis se realiza para dos fases diferenciadas, la primera abarca la crisis financiera de 2008, mientras la segunda se centra en la actual pandemia del covid-19. La metodología empleada es doble, pues en ambos periodos se combina el análisis estadístico de indicadores sociales con la opinión de los profesionales, recogida mediante entrevistas o grupos de discusión. A pesar de las similitudes mencionadas, el estudio permite observar importantes diferencias entre ambas ciudades autónomas, así como distintos niveles de gasto social, tanto en la crisis financiera, como en la actual pandemia. Si bien es cierto que la aparición de la pandemia ha acercado los riesgos sociales de ambas ciudades. [Abstract] The Spanish autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla share a series of territorial, legal, economic and demographic characteristics, including a border with Morocco and a more limited form of autonomous government than the regions in areas such as education, health and employment, in which the Spanish state retains competence. Research on the social realities of life in Ceuta and Melilla is quite limited, as the cities are frequently overlooked in studies that deal with the autonomous regions or treated as a single unit. This article examines the social situation in both cities and the actions and decisions of the different administrations in each case. The study is divided into two sections: the first deals with the 2008 financial crisis, while the second focuses on the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The methodology combines statistical analysis of social indicators with the opinions of professionals, collected through interviews and focus groups. The results reveal significant differences between the cities, including different levels of social spending during both periods of crisis. The results also show an increased level of social risk in both instances as a consequence of the recent global health emergency. [Resumo] As ciudades de Ceuta e Melilla são duas cidades espanholas autónomas que partilham entre si uma série de características territoriais, jurídicas, económicas e demográficas. Em ambos os casos trata-se de contextos fronteiriços com Marrocos. Do mesmo modo, possuem o estatuto de Cidade Autónoma, embora com poderes legislativos limitados em várias áreas (Educação, Saúde ou Emprego), em comparaçàs as outras Comunidades Autónomas espahnolas. Estas cidades dependem do Estado espanhol para satisfazer as necessidades dos serviços públicos. Além disso, possuem uma diversidade cultural e outras peculiaridades. Devido ao seu pequeno tamanho, sua realidade social é amplamente desconhecida, pois em grande número de estudos regionais seus dados são omitidos ou oferecidos em conjunto. Para preencher esta lacuna, este artigo oferece uma visão geral da situação social de ambas as cidades, bem como uma descrição da resposta institucional disponível para elas. Foi feita uma análise para duas fases bem diferenciadas, a primeira abrange a crise financeira de 2008, enquanto a segunda afeta a atual pandemia de Covid-19. Uma metodologia dual utilizou, para ambos os períodos, uma análise estatística de dois indicadores sociais e combinada com a opinião de dois profissionais, coletada por meio de entrevistas ou grupos de discussão. Apesar das semanas supracitadas, este estudo permite-nos observar diferenças importantes entre as duas cidades autónomas, bem como diferentes níveis de gastos sociais, tanto na crise financeira como na atual pandemia. Embora seja verdade que o surgimento de uma pandemia roça as falésias sociais de ambas as cidades.

This article tries to analyse the social image of libraries through the news published in the digital newspaper database NIDo and the regional newspaper La Verdad. By means of the technique of the content analysis the work studies the social speech that emanates of both sources of information, in relation to the libraries, the book and other aspects related with them, as well as the differences and similarities in the focus of each media.

España presenta altos niveles de desigualdad territorial en materia educativa. Aunque durante el periodo reciente se han mejorado los resultados y reducido las distancias, aún persisten valores muy dispares según el territorio, vinculados, en gran medida, con los niveles de riqueza y de desarrollo socioeconómico. No obstante, también inciden otros factores culturales derivados de la composición y diversidad de la población. Esta investigación analiza, desde una perspectiva socioeducativa, los distintos sistemas educativos autonómicos que existen en nuestro país a través de los siguientes objetivos: conocer las distancias en los resultados educativos entre las distintas autonomías y la conexión con sus contextos socioeconómicos; profundizar en las principales variables sociodemográficas vinculadas al fracaso y al abandono escolar y valorar la respuesta institucional autonómica ofrecida en materia de política educativa. La estrategia metodológica empleada es mixta, complementando fuentes primarias (entrevistas a profesionales) y secundarias (análisis estadístico, revisión de estudios y análisis documental). Los resultados evidencian que las autonomías configuran su política educativa con diferentes niveles de gasto en educación y con distintas bases documentales. Tras el análisis de las variables implicadas en la conformación de los modelos de respuesta institucional, se han diferenciado seis tipos de estrategias socioeducativas, con distintos niveles de eficacia y eficiencia. En definitiva, España presenta un escenario educativo donde conviven grandes disparidades territoriales, tanto en los resultados como en las medidas de intervención, lo que dificulta en gran medida la cohesión social., Spain has high levels of territorial inequality in education. Although the results have been improved during the recent period and the distances reduced, there are still very different values depending on the territory, linked, to a large extent, with the levels of wealth and socioeconomic development. This research analyzes, from a socioeducational perspective, the different autonomous educational systems that exist in our country through the following objectives: to know the distances in the educational results between the different autonomies and the connection with their socioeconomic contexts; deepen the main sociodemographic variables linked to school failure and dropout and assess the autonomic institutional response offered in terms of educational policy. The methodological strategy used is mixed, complementing primary (interviews with professionals) and secondary (statistical analysis, review of studies and documentary analysis) sources. The results show that the autonomies configure their educational policy with different levels of expenditure on education and with different documentary bases. Following the analysis of the variables involved in the conformation of the institutional response models, six types of socio-educational strategies have been differentiated, with different levels of effectiveness and efficiency. In short, Spain presents an educational scenario where large territorial disparities coexist, both in the results and in the intervention measures, which greatly hinders social cohesion.

cohesión social y económica desde sus Tratados Constitutivos. El alcance de este objetivo se ha visto ralentizado por varios motivos, como la entrada de los países de Europa del Este que ha supuesto un aumento de la heterogeneidad en la Unión; o por el diferente impacto de la reciente crisis económica en los distintos países. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el proceso de convergencia/divergencia de los países de Europa del Este en los parámetros socioeconómicos de la Unión Europea que fomentan la cohesión social y económica. La hipótesis de partida es que estos países han mantenido diferentes ritmos de convergencia con la Unión Europea por conformar un bloque heterogéneo, explicado por varios factores: el tiempo de permanencia en la Unión, la influencia de la Unión Soviética, el impacto de la Estrategia Europa 2020 o la situación de la que partían antes de entrar en la Unión. La metodología empleada es mixta, combinando la entrevista a profesionales con el análisis estadístico de los diferentes comportamientos sociales, económicos y políticos en los países de Europa del Este desde el estallido de la crisis hasta ahora. En la comparativa se consideran tres ámbitos de actuación, correspondientes a las principales áreas que conforman la política social y que se integran como objetivos dentro de la Estrategia Europa 2020 (ingresos, trabajo y educación), al tiempo que se incluye la respuesta institucional ofrecida por los diferentes países. European Union has been promoting the achievement of social and economic cohesion since the Treaty Establishing the European Community. A true embodiment of this goal has been slowed down by several reasons, such as the attachment of Eastern Europe countries that increased the heterogeneity in the European Union; or how European countries dealt with the latest economic recession that took place in 2008. The aim of this paper is to analyse the process of convergence/divergence among Eastern Europe countries and European Union based in a few parameters that foster the economic and social cohesion. The hypothesis is that countries from East of Europe have kept different rates of convergence with the European Union because they shape a heterogeneous group of countries due to several factors: accession year of each country to the European Union, influence of the former Soviet Union, Europe 2020 Strategy’s repercussion or the previous situation where these countries come from before being full members of the European Union. In this paper, a mixed methodology was applied, combining interviews with professionals in different fields of knowledge with the statistical analysis of social, economic and political behaviours in the Eastern European Union countries since the outbreak of the crisis until now. In this comparative, three fields of action have been considered as the main areas that compose social policy and are also integrated in the European 2020 Strategy (incomes, work and education), combined with the institutional response offered by these countries.

El Pueblo Gitano ha estado presente en la historia de Europa y de España, siendo habitual las referencias a él como colectivo vulnerable. Sin embargo, apenas se tiene conocimiento de su situación social desde un enfoque global o multidimensional, es decir, teniendo en cuenta su riesgo social en diferentes ámbitos, como empleo, formación, ingresos, vivienda, salud, relaciones socio-familiares o participación. Mediante el análisis documental o bibliográfico, este trabajo pretende avanzar en esta línea, realizando una revisión sistemática de la situación de la investigación sobre este colectivo en el contexto europeo, al tiempo que se profundiza en la información que aportan los estudios en España sobre su situación social multidimensional. Los resultados obtenidos desvelan que mientras en Europa el interés científico se centra en su integración, destacando los estudios sobre participación ciudadana, en España priman los estudios que abordan dimensiones relacionadas con sus procesos de inclusión/exclusión, especialmente el de la educación., Roma people have been present for centuries in the history of Europe and Spain; being usual references to them as a vulnerable community. Nevertheless, there is barely any knowledge about their social situation from a holistic or multidimensional approach. It means, taking into account their social risk at different areas such as: employment, training, income, housing, health, social and family relations or participation. This article aims to improve the knowledge of Roma community through the documentary or bibliographic analysis in two different ways. On the one hand, a research systematic review is implemented in the European framework. And on the other hand, research is conducted through multidimensional approach to different studies deepening the understanding of social situation of Roma in Spain. The outcomes reveal that in Europe scientific interest is focused on their social integration; studies on participation are highlighted. However, in Spain several researches show that prevailing dimensions are related to their Social Inclusion / Exclusion processes; mainly about Education.

La Rioja and Region of Murcia are two single-province Autonomous Regions that have been governed by the Spanish conservative party (Popular Party) since the mid-90s. Although they have developed different social inclusion models, they share common elements. This paper analyses their social inclusion models by means of a comparative analysis, taking into account the different stages of development over the past three decades. The analysis includes the areas of social services, employment, education, and income. The common elements – similar documentary commitment in law, programmes, and benefits; excessive delegation in the social economy sector; limited planning and lack of coordination – outweigh the differences – Region of Murcia’s more unfavourable context; higher social risk, and lower spending on social protection., La Rioja y Región de Murcia son dos autonomías uniprovinciales gobernadas por el partido conservador español (Partido Popular) desde mediados de los años noventa y que han desarrollado modelos sociales dispares, aunque con elementos comunes. Mediante un análisis comparativo, tomando como referencia la política de inclusión, se indaga en las etapas experimentadas en los últimos treinta años. En su análisis se toma como referencia los campos de Servicios Sociales, Empleo, Educación y Rentas. Los elementos comunes (similar compromiso documental en leyes, planes y ayudas; excesiva delegación en el tercer sector; escasa planificación y falta de coordinación) predominan sobres las diferencias (mayor riesgo social, menor gasto en protección social en la Región de Murcia y el contexto más desfavorable de ésta).

La Unión Europea viene fomentando a través de sus instituciones y normativas la construcción de un modelo social común que fomente la cohesión social. El alcance de este fin se ve limitado por las diferencias existentes entre los modelos sociales nacionales, junto con el distinto impacto de la crisis económica. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la evolución de los distintos modelos sociales europeos, ofreciendo una visión global de estos y haciendo especial hincapié en la tendencia hacia la convergencia o divergencia entre ellos en el periodo 2007-2014. A partir de las clasificaciones de los tipos de Estados de Bienestar existentes (Timuss, Espíng-Andersen y Sapir), se realiza una propuesta basada en la identificación inicial de ciertas pautas comunes en cinco modelos diferenciados: Nórdico, Continental, Anglosajón, Mediterráneo y del Este. La hipótesis de partida es que los diferentes modelos sociales europeos mantienen una gran vinculación con el contexto geopolítico donde se vienen desarrollando, viéndose condicionados por el tiempo de permanencia en la Unión Europea. La metodología empleada es la comparación de los diferentes comportamientos sociales, económicos y políticos en la Unión Europea. Para ello se analizan diferentes ámbitos de actuación correspondientes a las principales áreas que conforman la política social (ingresos, trabajo, educación, vivienda y salud); incluyéndose indicadores o medidas input (como el gasto social), junto a otros de tipo output o resultados (como la tasa de paro). The European Union has been promoting through its institutions and regulations, a common social model that fosters social cohesion. The scope of this purpose is limited by the differences between national social models, along with the different impact of the economic crisis. The aim of this paper is to analyze the evolution of the different European Social Models. It is provided an overview of these, with special emphasis on the trend towards convergence or divergence between them during 2007-2014. From the classifications of the types of Welfare States (Timuss, Esping-Andersen and Sapir), this paper shows a proposal based on the initial identification of certain common patterns in five different models: Nordic, Continental, Anglo-Saxon, Mediterranean and Eastern. The initial hypothesis is: the different European social models maintain a great relationship with the geopolitical context in which they are developing and also we must considering the integration time in the EU. The methodology used consists of comparing the different social, economic and political behavior in the European Union. For this purpose, different areas of social policy (income, employment, education, housing and health) are analyzed; including input indicators (such as social spending) and outcome indicators (such as the unemployment rate).

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

©. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ This document is the Published/Accepted/Submitted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in [Prisma Social].

El acceso y la permanencia en una vivienda digna constituyen elementos fundamentales en los procesos de inclusión social. Los inmigrantes son un colectivo tradicionalmente vulnerable ante los procesos de exclusión residencial y, desde el origen de la crisis, esta vulnerabilidad se ha visto incrementada, en gran medida por su expulsión del mercado de trabajo. Desde el enfoque de las trayectorias residenciales de los inmigrantes, se ha analizado la situación actual de la exclusión residencial de este colectivo en España. Para ello se han combinado técnicas cuantitativas con revisión de estudios previos y legislaciones. Mediante el análisis cuantitativo realizado con datos procedentes de las principales fuentes estadísticas oficiales, se han analizado las principales problemáticas que afectan a los inmigrantes en relación con la exclusión residencial. Posteriormente, se ha realizado un análisis de la evolución y el impacto de las políticas públicas destinadas a combatir la exclusión residencial de los inmigrantes en España. Finalmente, se presenta un diagnóstico de la situación actual., The access to and the stay in a decent housing are key elements in social inclusion processes. Immigrants are a traditionally vulnerable group to residential exclusion processes and since the beginning of this economic crisis, this vulnerability has greatly increased due to immigrants have been excluded from the labour market. From the approach of the immigrants’ residential trajectories, the current residential situation of immigrants in Spain has been analysed. For that purpose, quantitative techniques and the review of previous studies and legislations have been combined. By the quantitative analysis carried out with data from the official statistical sources, the main problems affecting immigrants in terms of residential exclusion have been analysed. Subsequently, an analysis of the evolution and impact of the public policies aimed at combating the immigrants’ social exclusion in Spain has been carried out. Finally, a diagnosis of the current situation is submitted.

La intervención social necesita criterios profesionales asentados en investigación social que aporten instrumentos técnicos y cientícos. En este artículo se presenta la metodología del acompañamiento para trabajar con personas en situación de exclusión social. Para ello, se define el concepto de exclusión social y sus principales características, y se analizan los resultados de dos investigaciones en las que se aborda la exclusión a partir del establecimiento de indicadores. Por último, se explicita el benecio de las herramientas utilizadas en el Observatorio de Procesos de Exclusión y de Incorporación Social (País Vasco) y en el Observatorio de la Exclusión Social (Región de Murcia).