Mediation of information for women: report on the Community Library Abdias Nascimento in Londrina/PR

Abstract

Community libraries are a reaction of peripheral communities to unequal access to information and constitute an important space for the democratization of knowledge. It is believed that alternative libraries can collaborate with the feminist struggle for autonomy, empowerment and against machismo and misogyny through the mediation of information. The research had as objective to know the Community Library Abdias Nascimento, located in Londrina and to analyze if the mediation of the information directed to women happens and how it is realized. The theoretical framework is based on Critical Information Theory. The research was concerned with conceptualizing the community library, analyzing the history of libraries and the influence of Information Science to change paradigms and brings a discussion about oppression of women and the social responsibility of the librarian in face of this reality. Since it is an empirical research, the combined exploratory-descriptive study was chosen as the most appropriate procedure and the semi-structured interview as a method for data collection. As a result, it was noticed that the Abdias Nascimento Community Library does not carry out any mediation activity that focuses on women, however, the unit has a very strong involvement with racial and feminine issues and has already held specific events for the female audience. For this reason we have made available to develop activities in the space and to collaborate with the organization of the collection and automation of the library.