Transparency in the Management of Spanish Public University Libraries Through the Internet

Abstract

Transparency in the management of 50 Spanish public university libraries was analysed using information available on their websites. The method consisted of checking the websites to identify a set of 18 evaluation indicators associated with the specific case of libraries and the Spanish Transparency Act, notably the chapter on active publishing. The indicators have been used in previous studies with the same objective. The results of the analysis revealed shortcomings, although there were also examples of good practises for each indicator, identified with libraries that have introduced quality systems for management. The indicators that were found most frequently in the sample were regulations, specific regulations for some services and service charters. However, the sample lacked some indicators that are vital to understand the reasons behind the development and management of information resources, such as the policy or programme of collection management. We found a need to review the quantity and quality of information that can be consulted on libraries' websites, and the presentation and format of some types of information so that they can be reused.