The role of the National System of Public Libraries in the construction of public policies

Abstract

It presents facts that marked the Brazilian System of National Public Libraries (SNBP) as an institution responsible for public policies in the area of books, reading and libraries in the period from 1992 to 2014, during which time it was subordinated to the National Library Foundation (FBN). This work intends to be a registration of the institutional memory that aims to contribute to strengthen and maintain alive the SNBP. Through a bibliographical research, we sought to investigate the issues related to the SNBP from the description of their actions, which brought us rich reflections about his role in the construction of policies for public libraries in the country. Since its inception, the SNBP has become the main executing agency of policies, although it has not always led the formulation of policies. The analysis of its actions allowed the identification of four axes: implantation and modernization of public libraries; capacity building of human resources in the area of books and libraries; promotion of research; support for community libraries and reading and technical assistance points. The result of this research opens new questions for study and debate, among which we suggest: what results can be perceived regarding the democratization of access to information and reading in local communities whose public libraries have received the support of the SNBP? What is the impact of the actions implemented to improve the quality of life of the population in their territories? It is suggested to carry out a public policy analysis of each action reported to identify what has worked and deserve to be repeated or improved, and to seek the causes of what has not worked, correct and avoid misunderstandings.