I turbolenti anni Venti. Riflessioni sul ruolo delle biblioteche nell’attuale ecosistema informativo e su ciò che (auspicabilmente) verrà

Abstract

This article aims to answer the issue of the necessity of libraries in the current information ecosystem, characterized by apparently boundless and individual access to information, and dominated by fragmentation and polarization, both phenomena in which social networks play an amplification role. It is therefore advocated that libraries, as institutions of knowledge mediation and structuring, are needed more than ever, albeit in partially different forms than traditional ones. Through a reflection on the concepts of complexity and horizontal and vertical culture, the article explores how libraries can contrast the criticalities of the current scenario, proposing a vision of the library as a dynamic process, highlighting its potential as a space for reflection and learning, and emphasizing the importance of a systemic and interdisciplinary approach to ensure its future relevance.This article aims to answer the issue of the necessity of libraries in the current information ecosystem, characterized by apparently boundless and individual access to information, and dominated by fragmentation and polarization, both phenomena in which social networks play an amplification role. It is therefore advocated that libraries, as institutions of knowledge mediation and structuring, are needed more than ever, albeit in partially different forms than traditional ones. Through a reflection on the concepts of complexity and horizontal and vertical culture, the article explores how libraries can contrast the criticalities of the current scenario, proposing a vision of the library as a dynamic process, highlighting its potential as a space for reflection and learning, and emphasizing the importance of a systemic and interdisciplinary approach to ensure its future relevance.In questo articolo si propone una risposta alla domanda sulla necessità delle biblioteche nell’attuale ecosistema informativo, caratterizzato da un accesso all'informazione apparentemente sconfinato e individuale, e dominato dalla frammentazione e dalla polarizzazione, fenomeni in cui i social network hanno un ruolo di amplificazione. Si sostiene, perciò, come le biblioteche, in quanto istituzioni di mediazione e strutturazione della conoscenza, siano più che mai necessarie, seppur in forme parzialmente diverse rispetto a quelle tradizionali. Attraverso una riflessione sui concetti di complessità e cultura orizzontale e verticale, l’articolo esplora come le biblioteche possano contrastare le criticità dello scenario attuale, proponendo una visione della biblioteca come processo dinamico, evidenziandone il suo potenziale di spazio di riflessione e apprendimento, e sottolineando l'importanza di un approccio sistemico e interdisciplinare per garantirne la rilevanza futura