New methodologies in university libraries management and user studies: some Latin American experiences

Abstract

The articles published in the number 2 of the volume 13 of Scire (Jul.-Dic. 2007) are presented, which are mainly devoted to university libraries, specifically to library management, information demand and use, and electronic resources. The articles on university libraries management deal with knowledge management, organizational development, digital services and visual identity. The articles on the use of information in university libraries research strategies of user needs by library managers, journal use, postgraduate use of information resources, and the role of gender and sociocultural differences in the use of libraries and ICTs. Finally, two studies are offered in the fields of, respectively, gender studies and music. As showed in these studies, modern library management has advanced very much in aspects like technology management or quality management, but there is a long path to walk in fields like human resources management, marketing and evidence-based practice. On the other hand, solid user studies are necessary to complement the generalization of popular and successful managerial models, which are the main change engine in information units. User studies are also the first step of a diagnostic activity able to detect different conditions and pathologies in the access of information, which will allow a more effective practice beyond the general models that are used in user education and reference.