Impacts of Digital Technology mediation in Academic Libraries of Portugal and in the Northeast of Brazil: evolution or rupture in institutional scientific information space?

Abstract

This work aims to analyze comparatively the impact on Digital Technology mediations in academic libraries in Portugal and in the northeastern part of Brazil. The research also aims to identify to which extent the use of technology promotes evolution in the informational practises offered on behalf of these libraries or promote certain rupture. Technology development and the value in which information has taken have helped to stimulate changes in the academic library environment especially related to the services and products that are offered. The librarian and user behavior is also dealt with. Libraries and Library users do not present themselves exclusively in a physical manner, they are also virtual. This enables impacts and changes and implies adaptation of the librarian to this new reality. The research will be qualitative based on quadripolar methodology within the four poles: epistemological, theoretical, technical and morphological. Results aim to produce a framework that emphasizes the real impacts that Digital Technologies produce in Portuguese and Brazilian Academic Libraries as well as propose actions towards use if these technologies in these libraries.