Library systems without systems librarians: the Mexican experience
| Date | 01 September 2003 |
| Published date | 01 September 2003 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830310494481 |
| Pages | 309-316 |
| Author | Micaela Chávez‐Villa,Abelardo Herrero Perezrul |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Library systems without
systems librarians:
the Mexican experience
Micaela Cha vez-Villa and
Abelardo Herrero Perezrul
Introduction
The development of automation processes in
Mexican libraries has grown slowly, with almost
all of the technically oriented libraries belonging
to universities and other similar institutions.
Public university libraries depend on the
Ministry of Education for financial resources.
Each library must solve its own technological
problems according to its own plan (when one
exists), often done in isolation. Resource
sharing and cooperative efforts rise out of the
working environment in Mexican institutions.
Libraries with automated services and processes
have succeeded with minimum technology
support. This is because they do not have the
qualified personnel and administrative
authorities do not understand library
technology requirements.
There are only 450 graduate librarians for a
population of 90 million in Mexico. This results
in a librarian shortage and a lack of
specialization in the area of information
technology and library systems administration.
It is also rare to find systems professionals
assigned to libraries. With these antecedents, it
is natural that even the concept of a librarian
dedicated to systems work is outside the
Mexican libraries' environment.
Definitions
It is important to define the term systems
librarian. Several authors have already made the
attempt: we have included three definitions,
which specifically reflect the activities assessed
in our survey of Mexico library systems:
The systems librarians are the people who identify
the needs of the library for automated systems,
cause these systems to be implemented, and
analyze the operations of the library (Martin,
1988).
The systems librarian is Maintainer, Interpreter,
Trainer, Enabler, Liaison, and Advisor (Lynch,
1994).
The primary responsibilities of an Automation
Librarian ... include the following: 1) developing
original applications; 2) troubleshooting; 3)
software evaluation; 4) hardware/software
monitoring, maintenance, and upgrading, 5) data
protection; 6) staff training; 7) system
The authors
Micaela Cha vez-Villa is Acting Director, Biblioteca Daniel
CosõÂo Villegas, Camino al Ajusco, Me xico.
Abelardo Herrero Perezrul is Computing Coordinator,
Biblioteca Daniel CosõÂo Villegas, El Colegio de Me xico,
Camino al Ajusco, Me xico.
Keywords
Systems monitoring, Mexico, Systems theory,
Administrative data processing, Library systems
Abstract
This article aims to describe library automation development
in Mexican universities, particularly the role of systems
librarians in this process, together with the creation of new
services. Systems librarian positions in Mexico do not
officially exist. The activities that comprise the role practiced
in American libraries were analyzed to define the equivalent
profile in Mexican institutions and contrast the different
approaches. Background information on Mexican library and
information science programs is included. The results and
conclusions of a survey applied to 66 Mexican institutions
examine the role of systems librarians. There is a brief case
study of a Mexican library confronting complex technological
change. Finally, some considerations about the relationship
between systems administrators and librarians are included.
Electronic access
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The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
309
Library Hi Tech
Volume 21 .Number 3 .2003 .pp. 309-316
#MCB UP Limited .ISSN 0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378830310494481
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