ESPAÇO FÍSICO DA BIBLIOTECA

A PRODUÇÃO DO CONHECIMENTO EM INSTITUIÇÕES DE ENSINO SUPERIOR DE SOROCABA-SP

Abstract

Throughout history, libraries have played an important role for human beings throughout the evolution of society as a whole. In the same sense, and in a related way, higher education is characterized as a relevant part of the constitution of society, including Brazilian society, even considering the delay in establishing universities in the country compared to the rest of Latin America. In this sense, this article aims to discuss how the physical space of libraries in higher education institutions has been redefined to support the process of knowledge construction. As a justification for this research, it can be mentioned that the intention is to analyze the reinvention of these spaces and the changes in the profile of librarians so that the place becomes an environment dedicated to coexistence and exchange of experiences. The methodology adopted is qualitative and involves semi-structured interviews with librarians from universities in Sorocaba, in the interior of São Paulo. This article is characterized as an excerpt from a larger research, which reflects on the evolution of libraries in higher education as a whole, involving aspects such as technology, for example. The interviews were analyzed using Content Analysis. As a result, it was possible to see that the physical spaces of university libraries have been modernized with the expansion of higher education. The demand for physical books has decreased significantly, something that has an impact on the practice of the librarian professional. There is therefore a need to look at services in line with the trends mentioned in the literature in the area. Thus, it can be concluded that libraries are moving in the same direction as the studies that support their research, with the modernization of spaces that prioritize coexistence between people to the detriment of the space of the collection itself.