¿Debemos tomarnos en serio la desintermediación?

Abstract

The implications of disintermediation for librarians and information specialists (intermediaries) can be experienced as either a threat or a challenge, depending on how the issue is viewed. The different ways in which information specialist can react to disintermediation are discussed. Although most of these are viable, none addresses all implications of desintermediation. A holistic approach to desintermediation is therefore proposed, in which the situation of the intermediary is viewed within the wider society. The following aspects should be analyzed with regard to their effect on desintermediation: changes in the society at large, the availability of information sources, the process of information searching, the specific organizations in which intermediaries operate, and the availability of information services. The specific end-users and the information specialist involved should also be analyzed. With this approach it will be found that the effects of desintermediation will vary according to the particular situations. To prepare information specialists for the effects of desintermediation, their training should also be adapted accordingly