The reading practices of women, mediated by a prison library in Portugal, constituted an interesting case study. In Santa Cruz do Bispo prison, female prisoners were increasingly aged and excluded from social groups, less literate, and educated. Many were first-time library users and some were beginning readers. This research aimed to understand their reading practices and preferences, their self-assigned meanings, and the roles of reading in prison. Having become aware that industrial literature romance novels were the most requested items, a critical comparative analysis of the three most requested titles was contrasted with readers' favorite passages to foster a deeper understanding of their preferences and sustain an integrated analysis. Furthermore, a consensualized definition of a "good read" is presented. The results from ethnography and interviews to readers and staff are analyzed taking into account class, gender, ethnicity, age, occupation, and education of the detainees. Conclusions address the fact that although the prison's educational service and imprisonment conditions propitiated an increase in reading generally, the library was oriented by educational targets and irresponsive to certain demands expressed by readers. Secondly, women readers were using the available top-selling romance novels to sustain their introspective and prospective work, while reckoning with their past and planning for their future. In addition to this reflexive stance, escapist entertainment and knowledge building were important reading purposes.
The Sámi in Sweden are welcomed as readers of the main language, dissatisfied by the relegated status of their culture as an ethnic minority. The Sámi Library in Jokkmokk is a library for the Sámi culture and the Sápmi. While Sámi culture is resisting and transfiguring itself, neoliberal arrangements, the privatisation of public services, new language laws and the Libraries Bill have put additional challenges to the library. The case study of this library is used to discuss what an indigenous library is. The acknowledgement of the colonial past and the demand for respectful recognition are advanced as fundamental requirements for a democratic use of the documentary resources and a realisation of cultural rights.
The Sámi in Sweden are welcomed as readers of the main language, dissatisfed by the relegated status of their culture as an ethnic minority. The Sámi Library in Jokkmokk is a library for the Sámi culture and the Sápmi. While Sámi culture is resisting and transfguring itself, neoliberal arrangements, the privatisation of public services, new language laws and the Libraries Bill have put additional challenges to the library. The case study of this library is used to discuss what an indigenous library is. The acknowledgement of the colonial past and the demand for respectful recognition are advanced as fundamental requirements for a democratic use of the documentary resources and a realisation of cultural rights. ; As pessoas sámis da Suécia, bem-vindas enquanto leitoras da língua principal, revelam-se insatisfeitas pelo estatuto relegado da sua cultura enquanto minoria étnica. A Biblioteca Sámi de Jokkmokk é dedicada à cultura sámi e ao Sápmi. Enquanto que a cultura sámi resiste e se transfigura, os arranjos neoliberais, a privatização de serviços públicos, as leis novas da língua e o projeto de lei das bibliotecas colocaram desafios adicionais à Biblioteca Sámi. Este estudo de caso é usado para discutir o que é uma biblioteca indígena. Admitir a existência de um passado colonial e requerer um reconhecimento respeitoso são exigências fundamentais aqui avançadas para um uso democrático dos recursos documentais e a realização dos direitos culturais. ; Les personnes sámis en Suède, bienvenues comme lectrices de la langue principale, s'avèrent mécontentes en tant que minorité ethnique de la relégation de leur culture. La Bibliothèque Sámi à Jokkmokk est consacrée à la culture sámi et au Sápmi. Tandis que la culture sámi résiste et se transfgure, les arrangements néolibéraux, la privatisation des services publics, les nouvelles lois de la langue et le projet de loi de bibliothèques ont lancé des défs supplémentaires à la Bibliothèque Sámi. L'étude de cas est utilisée pour débattre de ce qu'est une bibliothèque indigène. Admettre l'existence d'un passé colonial et demander une reconnaissance respectueuse sont des exigences fondamentales proposées pour une utilisation démocratique des ressources documentaires et la concrétisation des droits culturels. ; Las personas sámis de Suecia, bienvenidas como lectoras de la lengua principal, se muestran insatisfechas por la relegación de la cultura de su minoría étnica. La Biblioteca Sámi de Jokkmokk es una biblioteca para su cultura y el Sápmi. Al tiempo que la cultura sámi resiste y se transforma, el régimen neoliberal, la privatización de los servicios públicos, las nuevas leyes sobre la lengua y el proyecto de ley de las bibliotecas han planteado retos adicionales a la Biblioteca. El estudio de caso tiene el objetivo de cuestionar qué es una biblioteca indígena. Admitir un pasado colonial y demandar un reconocimiento respetuoso son exigencias fundamentales que se proponen para hacer un uso democrático de los recursos documentales y realizar los derechos culturales.
The Sámi in Sweden are welcomed as readers of the main language, dissatisfied by the relegated status of their culture as an ethnic minority. The Sámi Library in Jokkmokk is a library for the Sámi culture and the Sápmi. While Sámi culture is resisting and transfiguring itself, neoliberal arrangements, the privatisation of public services, new language laws and the Libraries Bill have put additional challenges to the library. The case study of this library is used to discuss what an indigenous library is. The acknowledgement of the colonial past and the demand for respectful recognition are advanced as fundamental requirements for a democratic use of the documentary resources and a realisation of cultural rights.
Uma prisão feminina em Portugal foi caso de estudo sobre práticas de leitura nesse quotidiano. Consideram-se teorias sobre a prisão feminina (M.I. Cunha e C.R. Fonseca) e de uma perspetiva feminista e comparativa (M. Bosworth, B.H. Zaitzow & J. Thomas). Para compreender o que, por que e com que significados as mulheres liam, cruzando dimensões sociais, desenhou-se uma abordagem qualitativa, metodologicamente diversificada (etnografia, entrevistas individuais e grupais com leitoras e com intermediadores), incluindo usos do espaço físico e social e do tempo, relações com familiares, com outras detidas e com pessoal prisional. Analisaram-se títulos favoritos (romances cor-de-rosa, literatura industrial, light ou kitsch), tendo-se em conta gêneros literários para públicos femininos e desconstruindo-se preconceitos de gênero e classe associados à sua crítica. A interpretação foi construída com um quadro teórico diverso (A. Amorós, M. Calinescu, R. Felski, J. Radway e M. Sweeney). A análise de práticas, concetualizações e representações desvelou traços interessantes e eventualmente inesperados sobre os modos de leitura. Palavras-chave: Prisões femininas. Leitura. Literatura light. Literatura kitsch. Romances cor-de-rosa.READING IN WOMEN'S PRISON: from the library to questioning tastes Paula Sequeiros A women's prison in Portugal was the case study about reading practices in this environment. The female prison system (M.I. Cunha and C.R. Fonseca) and a feminist comparative perspective (M. Bosworth, B.H. Zaitzow & J. Thomas) were used as reference. In order to understand what, why and with what meanings these women read, crossing social dimensions, this study had a qualitative approach with different methodologies (ethnography, individual and group interviews with readers and mediators), and included uses of the physical and social spaces and of time, family relations, relations with other inmates and with the prison staff. The favorite titles were analyzed (chick lit, industrial, light and kitsch literature), taking into account literary genres for women and deconstructing gender and class prejudices that were connected to them. Interpretation was carried out with a diverse theoretical chart (A. Amorós, M. Calinescu, R. Felski, J. Radway and M. Sweeney). The analysis of practices, concepts and representations revealed interesting and eventually unexpected traces about their forms of reading. Keywords: Women's prison. Reading. Light literature. Kitsch literature. Chick lit.LA LECTURE DANS UNE PRISON FÉMININE: de la bibliothèque à la question des goûts Paula Sequeiros Une prison de femmes au Portugal a fait l'objet d'une étude sur les pratiques de lecture dans le cadre de ce quotidien. Le système pénitentiaire féminin (M.I. Cunha e C.R. Fonseca) et une perspective féministe et comparative (M. Bosworth, B.H. Zaitzow & J. Thomas) ont servi de référence à cette étude. Afin de comprendre le quoi, le pourquoi et en vue de quoi les femmes prisonnières lisent, et après avoir fait des croisements entre les diverses dimensions sociales, une approche qualitative a pu être élaborée, diversifiée sur le plan méthodologique (ethnographie, interviews individuelles et en groupes avec les lectrices et avec des intermédiaires) en y incluant l'utilisation de l'espace physique et social ainsi que la dimension du temps, les relations avec des membres de la famille, d'autres prisonnières et le personnel pénitentiaire. Les livres préférés ont été analysés (romans à l'eau de rose, littérature industrielle, light ou kitsch), en tenant compte des genres littéraires destinés au public féminin et en déconstruisant les préjugés de genre et de classe accompagnant leur critique. L'interprétation a été construite dans un cadre théorique diversifié (A. Amorós, M. Calinescu, R. Felski, J. Radway e M. Sweeney). L'analyse des pratiques, des conceptualisations et des représentations a dévoilé des traits intéressants voire inattendus concernant les modes de lecture. Mots-clés: Prisons de femmes. Lecture. Littérature light. Littérature kitsch. Romans à l'eau de rose. Publicação Online do Caderno CRH no Scielo: http://www.scielo.br/ccrh Publicação Online do Caderno CRH: http://www.cadernocrh.ufba.br
The article describes the history and activities of the 25th of April Documentation Centre (CD25A), at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. The Centre has an overt commitment to democracy and decolonisation. It deals with a history timeline starting with the opposition to Portuguese colonialism and the fascist dictatorship, crossing the transition to a democratic state and the Revolution of April 1974, and extending until the end of the 20th century. It is argued that, in digitally opening its collections and interacting with scientific research, journalism, literature and education, CD25A has played an important social and political role. Interviews with three of its users are analysed – which will serve as the basis of a larger investigation into the Centre's value for research in Portuguese colonialism. It seems that the "research atmosphere", created by its staff, is as important to researchers as its unique collections.
May the changes in the representations of the public library be propitiated by readers' appropriations of the Internet? To answer this question, a theoretically-driven and empirically-based research was developed in a public library in Portugal, combining the analysis of documents uses, the ethnography of space and Internet use, of social relations developed while reading, with the analysis of representations of the public library. No clear-cut association emerged between social-demographics or user profiles, and representations, in general. No disruptive Internet "impact" was found: Internet use may contribute to reinforce traditional representations of the library, while it may also update and democratise other representations. If the library and the Internet are represented as synonymous, the former does not make sense without the latter; but an Internet widespread and intensive use conflicts with the image of an institution dedicated to high-brow culture. Changes in uses of the public library are, instead, clearly associated with new types of readers, which in their turn reflect changes in urban social composition.
"May the changes in the representations of the public library be propitiated by readers' appropriations of the Internet? To answer this question, a theoretically-driven and empirically-based research was developed in a public library in Portugal, combining the analysis of documents uses, the ethnography of space and Internet use, of social relations developed while reading, with the analysis of representations of the public library. No clear-cut association emerged between social-demographics or user profiles, and representations, in general. No disruptive Internet 'impact' was found: Internet use may contribute to reinforce traditional representations of the library, while it may also update and democratize other representations. If the library and the Internet are represented as synonymous, the former does not make sense without the latter; but an Internet widespread and intensive use conflicts with the image of an institution dedicated to high-brow culture. Changes in uses of the public library are, instead, clearly associated with new types of readers, which in their turn reflect changes in urban social composition." (author's abstract)
This single case research was developed within a public library in Porto, Portugal, Biblioteca Municipal Almeida Garrett. Its main objective was to understand how public library readers interact with space, the Internet technology, and reading resources, and how these interactions shape the representations of what a public library is. This case was chosen because the library has a recent and renowned building, high reader use levels, and Internet access. The design of user profiles was an intermediate step, and then a partial result in the process of understanding provision and appropriation of technology, space, and reading resources (all media and supports) in a specific context. The construction of these profiles is presented and discussed in this paper. A qualitative, single case study was designed according to Burawoy's Extended Case Method, departing from the framework of several theories – Feenberg and Bakardjieva's approach to Internet uses, Lefèbvre and Certeau's approach on space – and some library users and studies of Internet user profiles – by Rodrigues, Bakardjieva, and by other authors. A theoretical, diversified sample was constructed. User profiles were designed as a way of depicting common reading practices by grouping readers' characteristics according to Internet, space, and bibliographical resource usage. Along with this usage, social demographics, motivations, meanings, and feelings were enquired about to construct a thick narrative. Observation of all forms of reading practices, in-depth interviews, informal conversations, children's drawings, photography, and an architectural and social analysis of the building were used. The library has diversified uses, tied to present-day everyday life conditions, and its space and management style are flexible enough to allow for different user appropriations. As to the general reading atmosphere, high satisfaction was reported, and the most appreciated features of social and architectural space were signaled by readers. User profiles reflect diversified usage modes, diverse relations to space, to Internet and bibliographic resources, and to other users. Both the theoretical framework and the selected methodology proved fruitful for the intended purpose. These readers' profiles may provide a tool to understand and manage public library services, given the adequate fittingness. The same may be said about readers' evaluation of space, in general, or, specifically, about space appropriations, and, above all, about the production of stimulating reading atmospheres
¿Acaso los cambios de las representaciones de la biblioteca pública son propiciados por las apropiaciones de los lectores de Internet? Para contestar esta pregunta, una investigación teóricamente conducida y empíricamente basada fue desarrollada en una biblioteca pública en Portugal, combinando el análisis del uso de documentos, la etnografía del espacio y el uso de Internet, así como de las relaciones sociales desarrolladas cuando se lee y el análisis de las representaciones de la biblioteca pública.En general, ninguna asociación neta surgió entre datos demográficos sociales o perfiles de usuario y representaciones. No se encontró "impacto" perturbador provocado por el Internet: El empleo de Internet puede contribuir a reforzar las representaciones tradicionales de la biblioteca, mientras también puede poner al día y democratizar otras representaciones. Si la biblioteca y el Internet son representadas como sinónimo, la primera no tiene sentido sin Internet; pero el uso intensivo y amplio de Internet entra en conflicto con la imagen de una institución que se ha dedicado a la cultura y la intelectualidad. Los cambios en los usos de la biblioteca pública están, en cambio, claramente asociados con los nuevos tipos de lectores, que a su vez reflejan cambios en cuanto a la composición urbana social.URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs1401141 ; Können Änderungen in der Wahrnehmung öffentlicher Bibliotheken durch das Internet (positiv) beeinflusst werden? Diese Frage sollte mittels einer theoriebasierten empirischen Studie in einer portugiesischen Bibliothek beantwortet werden, bei der Dokumentenanalysen, Ethnografien der Raum- und Internetnutzung sowie Analysen zu sozialen Interaktionen und zur Wahrnehmung öffentlicher Bibliotheken zum Einsatz kamen.Prinzipiell konnten keine eindeutigen Bezüge zwischen soziodemografischen Daten und spezifischen Nutzer/innenprofilen einerseits und der Wahrnehmung der Bibliothek andererseits ermittelt werden. Ähnliches gilt für den Einfluss des Internets: Das Internet kann ...
The public event of the inauguration of a Feminine Reading Room in the Municipal Public Library of Porto, held on the 24th November 1945, sets the motto for the construction of a historically and sociologically based analysis of the modes of usage of public and semi- public space – namely libraries – used by women and their meanings in those days. Within the framework of a qualitative approach, sources such as literature, photography and personal interviews are added to documentary data from institutional archives. A fictional narrative, built from historical data, is inserted to sustain our analysis, where Adozinda is the character embodying a woman reader who crosses the city to visit the recently inaugurated Feminine Reading Room. Two female figures punctuate this narrative, Virgínia de Castro e Almeida, the person after whom this room was named, and Tília Dulce Machado Martins, the main legator of the collection it holds. Using this fictional narrative, we aimed at reconstructing a holistic context for the facts as they might have happened through a pleasurable reading of a plausible text. These women's diverse histories are also inserted in that context. Fiction is a resource used to inscribe data on the social, economic, and political situation in the city and in the country at that time, with an emphasis on women and their uses of public space. As to the theoretical framing of public and semi-public use of the space, the theory of gendered spaces, as opposed to separate spheres, is evoked and confirmed to account for the presence of women in public space, according to gender and social class roles, a presence which is however socially invisibilised. We conclude that the Room's space, initially segregated for moral reasons, was later transformed through an appropriation which went from separatism to integration, as a response to ethical claims gaining ground in society. This separatism was, therefore, an intermediate step towards a more equalitarian use of space.
