The Shock of the Ultra New

Abstract

From the starting point of her recollections of working with Dr Maurice Line during his consultancy for the Chilean National Library, the author describes the modernization of the Chilean Library of Congress and the development of a new Mission and Vision Statement for the Library that not only contributes to the parliamentary functions of Congress, but brings it closer to citizens by providing a space for social interaction and contributing to the building of the national community. In an era of blogs and communication through mobile phones, new forms of participation are having their effect on political and civic life. The Library needs to understand these mechanisms and innovate in the products and services it offers, for example through cybersocial networks. Such initiatives, which regard clients proactively, demand a major revolution in staff attitudes. However, they now form a concrete programme of activities and projects that reflects this cultural change.