Ranking Libraries investigated and quantitatively evaluated the web 2.0 services, content and tools of 390 university libraries in Latin America, through their websites, creating a specialized ranking that presents their strengths, trends and, especially, opportunities for improvement. All this, with the aim of serving as a standard for the elements, services and accessibility that their websites must have.
Libraries Ranking is aimed at rectors, vice-rectors, library directors, librarianship professionals and web page administrators, so that they know the current state of their libraries, comparing between universities in their city, country or region. In this way, they will be able to evaluate and analyze the way in which their libraries communicate, offer and provide services to their users, observing if they are consistent with the new needs raised by the change in the educational context.
The report generated by Ranking Libraries helps analyze and make decisions, facilitating adaptation and helping libraries meet the objective of supporting teaching, remaining the fundamental pillar of knowledge, learning and research; where finally, a well-managed library will be the promoter of added values to the university, reflecting its commitment and support to it and positively impacting the research processes, becoming a differentiating element.
The way of understanding education is changing. Currently, we are facing a new educational paradigm that leads us to transform the learning context to which we were accustomed. Universities must be pioneers and lead this process, responding efficiently to the supply and demand of their academic programs. For this, it is necessary to adapt to the needs of students through the development of new methodologies associated with face-to-face education and virtual learning. Libraries are no strangers to these changes, so they must be prepared to meet the challenges of this new scenario by optimizing the use of their resources, the way they provide their services and the use of Web 2.0 tools, thus highlighting their fundamental role in the university, teaching and research.