Las nuevas tecnologias de la informacion en las bibliotecas publicas de Puerto Rico: Impacto en el personal bibliotecario

The purpose of this research was to determine the status of Puerto Rico's public libraries to new information technologies. Obtaining the views of library staff working in the same, characteristics and attitudes and knowledge in new information technologies needed to serve as information specialists in libraries. To know the opinion of the director and / or manager on the preparation and training in new information technology for library staff in relation to identified attitudes that are fundamental to its role as library staff. For this study method was selected mixed quantitative-qualitative descriptive approach and design of such an instrument survey. The study population was 450 employees of the 78 participating municipalities with a total of 43 public libraries representing 51.12% of them. Library staff who participated in this study was 122 which represent 27% of the population. Also, it involved a purposive sampling of five directors and managers of the libraries in the areas north, south, east, west and center of Puerto Rico in 100% participation. A questionnaire measured their knowledge about the domain and received training in the use and management of new information technologies. The results showed that library staffs do not have the skills, domain, and the training necessary for effective use of new information technologies. The 9.8% of the staff in public libraries in Puerto Rico are trained and skilled in both technology and library science courses. The t test was used to determine if there is a difference between the mean degree of mastery of new information technologies and the training received in each area. The t test showed significant difference in terms of training received vs. the domain with the library staff in the above areas. It was noted that the training received is smaller than the domain perceived by the participants. The directors and / or managers said that public libraries in Puerto Rico face obstacles in incorporating new information technology that prevents them from effectively provide equitable access to information through new technologies. This research led to the creation of an updated directory of existing public libraries in Puerto Rico.