The public library as an information mediation environment for its third age users

Abstract

Introduction: The public library must carry out activities and mediation actions that support the development of social subjects, among them elderly users. Objective: seeks to analyze the importance of the public library as an information mediation environment for the elderly and the ways said library develops its physical space and its information mediation activities to promote the permanence and development of their elderly users. Methodology: The first stage of the research consisted in mapping the State Public Libraries, located in the Salvador city, more specifically those which have a space for its elderly users, as well as identifying how mediation activities were directed to them. From this result, which elects the multiple cases study method, a questionnaire was applied to the librarians of the four Public Libraries, located in Salvador, of the Bahia State, composing the sample of this research: Public Library Anísio Teixeira; Public Library Juracy Magalhães Jr.; Central Library of the Bahia State and Public Library Thales de Azevedo. Results: It could be verified that the most public libraries are carrying out activities aimed at their elderly users. It is important to emphasize that public libraries should broaden their strategies to encourage the elderly user to interact and share experiences. Conclusions: Public libraries seek to meet the information needs of elderly users and also providing a recreational and entertainment environment, thus contributing to a better life quality and establishing propitious conditions for the social inclusion of their elderly public.