Education on Library and Information Science in Spain. Development and current tendencies

Abstract

This article presents the current situation of the Library and Information Science (LIS) in Spain, describing the evolution of these studies from the very beginning and emphasising the development experienced during the past few years. This development has been quantitative as well as qualitative. Quantitatively, because there has been an increase from a single school until the early 80s, to the eighteen LIS university centres currently offering courses at this end of century; qualitatively, because there has been a great change from the original single degree to the three separate degree programmes available today, in addition to the variety of continuing education courses. The curriculum of studies is also analysed, emphasising the role that some subjects such as management and information technologies have acquired. Finally, it concludes with the tendencies observed in the field and offers insights into future prospects.