Information workforce for transformative leadership in Portugal

Abstract

Libraries of the future will need information professionals with visionary leadership: professionals who can adapt to technological advances and who are committed to long-term sustainability. In Portugal, on the initiative of the Portuguese Association of Librarians, Archivists, Information and Documentation Professionals (BAD), a study of information professionals was carried out in 2023. This study examines the reality for individuals working and developing their expertise in the field of Information and Documentation according to the following variables: sex, age, professionals with disabilities, nationality, professional category, educational qualification, training in the field of Information Sciences, continuing education, participation in associations and professional networks. Its objective is to broaden our understanding of information professionals and, specifically, to ensure that the results obtained are analysed and discussed in a way that highlights the challenges faced in the profession. The survey was carried out by means of a questionnaire sent to the heads of information institutions in Portugal, and to information service providers in different sectors of society. The total number of information professionals checked was 9606; broken down by sector, municipal libraries and archives (4153), higher education institutions (903), central government (1236), museums (159), other sectors (84) and school library networks (3071). The study was of great importance, as it was the first to be carried out on this professional group in Portugal. Covering activity in different sectors made it possible to obtain a detailed demographic and social portrait of information professionals. Furthermore, the study demonstrates a dynamic and proactive professional association working to achieve a good understanding of the present situation in order to plan for the future and defend the profession. The conclusions present inferences from the intersection of the various variables analysed and general recommendations such as the need for regulated access to the profession, and reflection on training are made.