BIBVIRTUAL

Bibliotecas, Informação, Cidadania.Políticas Bibliotecárias em Portugal. Séculos XIX-XX 

ABSTRACT

The aim of this dissertation is to find a valid scientific answer to the reason why, throughout the history of public libraries, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries, was a national network of public libraries not consolidated, even though the numerous efforts made to attempt it, especially in the production of laws.
In part one, the work starts by analyzing cultural policies and their impact on information policies, bringing context to library systems. As we explain in the study, different ideological approaches and social policies of the cultural and information policies naturally determine different library systems.
It was also analyzed is this focus the creation and development of Information Science’s theories, looking to identify the influences and contributions that this modern field of knowledge has acquired from the different philosophical and political ideology ideas throughout time.
The library systems analysis was focused on the international organizations that reflect, propose, promote and make an international influence on the adopted policies by different nations; in particular the organization that conglomerates all library associations and the United Nations division which is UNESCO. The description of organizations that divulge international library policies is also contemplated.
Part two of the study diachronically develops and analysis the implementation process and growth of libraries and public reading in Portugal, from the public opening of private libraries (by the end of the 18th century), to the trajectory and evolution of the public libraries network’s creation, in context with the most relevant historical periods (Liberalism, Republic, Estado Novo and Democracy).
The third and final part of this study consists on the empirical study of the Rede Nacional de Bibliotecas Públicas, through its evaluation. The objectives and hypothesis of the inquiry are introduced, followed by the presentation of the work methodology, and the study case component that consisted on two different questionnaires sent to the political agents responsible by the network and the public libraries’ technicians throughout the country. 
By fulfilling the objectives intended at the beginning of the study we have confirmed the hypothesis related to the importance of library policies, and we also show its frailties.