Bibliography in the digital age: challenges to ensure the democratization of information access

Abstract

Introduction: Bibliography has function of mediation, which is extremely important to ensure access, appropriation and use of information. However, even nowadays, shaped by the intense use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), the democratization of the access to information still faces barriers in terms of accessibility (physical and cognitive) and usability of products or information systems. Objectives: With attention to the Bibliography principles, it was intended to reflect on the challenges related to bibliographic work in order to promote the democratization of information access in modern digital environments. Methodology: This is an exploratory research, based on bibliographic surveys, analysis of findings present in these surveys and preparation of a brief systematization. Results: By taking social inclusion as an empirical object, it was seen as a step towards achieving social justice, two challenges stood out. The first is related to understanding the area and contours of the empirical object of bibliographic work. And the second consists of identifying the potential users, their informational demands and the contexts in which these demands arise, in order to provide accessibility and usability, in the user-content-context triad, relying on the facilities that the digital environment offers. Conclusions: The principles of Bibliography constitute important pillars for the democratization of information access. However, given the wide use of ICTs, the same principles that guide bibliographic works need to be rethought, in the light of potential users of information products and services, their needs and respective contexts of use. At the same time, in the context of ICTs, it is understood that such products and services must be conceived as part of an integrated network with other services/information products.