Library education in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyze the number of schools and programs of library science that have existed in Latin America and the Caribbean from 1985 to date. It was written in order to understand the nature of library science teaching, and to provide a numerical analysis of the schools and programs identified.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on previous works that collected information on programs and institutions devoted to library science teaching. The main sources are the works of Fang (1985), Fang et al. (1995) and Maris and Giunti (1999). Differences between the Hispanic‐Portuguese and Anglo‐Saxon educational systems are described, as well as what they mean to library science teaching. With the purpose of standardizing the Anglo‐Saxon and Hispanic‐Portuguese systems, the various study programs were divided according to the classification used by Fang and Nauta.

Findings

It is evident that the number of schools and programs has been increasing and decreasing, and although the causes of this trend are not known, the data show that Latin American library science studies are continuously in motion. Regarding the creation of schools and programs, the data that have been gathered suggest an influence from European and American schools first and UNESCO programs later. Numerical data are provided per country on the number of schools and programs for training, technical studies, tertiary‐undergraduate studies, tertiary‐graduate studies and tertiary‐postgraduate studies.

Research limitations/implications

Because this study is based on previous works that collected information on programs and institutions, one has to admit that they do not provide information on all the schools that have existed in Latin America and the Caribbean and, thus, data are not fully accurate; however, there is enough information to provide a clear overview of the situation and the trends of library science in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the knowledge of library education in Latin America and the Caribbean. It points out the formation of human resources in reference to education levels and affirms the diversity of library education in those regions.

Citation

Rodríguez Gallardo, A. (2007), "Library education in Latin America and the Caribbean", New Library World, Vol. 108 No. 1/2, pp. 40-54. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800710722171