Las bibliotecas en la prensa diaria: el caso español

Abstract

Objectives: To analyse the Spanish public's perception of its libraries from a non-librarian’s point of view, in this case through the eyes of the Spanish press. Specifically, we examined the topics newspapers addressed most frequently in library-related news and considered how these topics changed in the period under question (2008–2012), especially after the beginning of the financial crisis. This was a comparative study, completed in conjunction with researchers in France, Italy and the UK.

Methodology: The study was based on a systematic examination of the two national Spanish newspapers El País and El Mundo during the period 2008–2012, using a survey of the Factiva news database. First we identified the articles that were relevant to the study. Next, we performed a text and content analysis, codifying each article according to the following parameters: type of library being discussed, main topic, section of the newspaper in which the article appeared and, in articles on libraries outside Spain, the country to which the library belonged.

Results: The analysis of the Spanish press offers mixed results about the current status of Spain's libraries. On the one hand, the general public considers library services to be important or even essential. On the other, libraries are facing the problems which are often described by library staff associations and there is a need for serious debate about the future of library services. Diachronic analysis indicated that after an initial period characterized by great interest in new libraries and investment in library infrastructures, the increasing pressure of the financial crisis changed public perception and moved the focus towards digital modes of knowledge and the possible role of libraries as an instrument to counteract the effects of the crisis. In general, the image of Spanish libraries presented by the press was markedly traditional and did little to alter common stereotypes about the nature of libraries and the work of librarians.