The discipline of "School Library" in the Library Science Curricula of Federal and State Universities in Brazil

Abstract

Over the last two decades of the 21st century, various actions, activities, and research have been conducted to promote the School Library and raise awareness among civil society about its role in the school environment, particularly following the enactment of Law 12.244/2010. This article investigates whether undergraduate Library Science curricula (both Bachelor's and Teaching degrees) include a specific and mandatory course on School Libraries. The study is characterized as exploratory, adopts a qualitative approach, and employs bibliographic and documentary research techniques. The research universe comprises in-person Library Science programs offered by Federal and State universities, at both the Bachelor's and Teaching degree levels. Among the 29 universities offering a total of 33 Library Science programs, only two include a specific and mandatory course (FURG, UESPI), while two others offer mixed and mandatory courses (UEL, UFMA). Seven programs include a specific elective course (UFRGS, UFRJ, UFS, UNESP, UNIR, UNIRIO) in their curricula, while another seven offer a mixed elective course (UFAL, UFC, UFCA, UFF, UFPB, UFRN, USP). The findings suggest that Library Science programs address the School Library as a peripheral topic, with minimal efforts to establish a dialogue between Library Science and Education.