This document summarizes a study on the adoption of new technology by academic libraries in Mexican state universities. A survey of 36 state university libraries found that while most have adopted basic library management systems, adoption of other technologies is uneven. Larger universities tend to have more computers for users and staff as well as tools like digital repositories and social networks. However, state university libraries overall are slow to adopt new technologies. Barriers include limited budgets and staffing challenges. There is potential for increased technology training to help libraries better utilize technological opportunities.

1. Adoption of New Technology by
Mexican State University Libraries
Technology and Academic Libraries in Developing Nations
ACRL / ALA Annual Conference
Washington, DC, USA
June 26, 2010 - Saturday 10:30 – 12:00
Jesús Lau
Javier Tarango
jlau@uv.mx / jtarango@uach.mx
www.jesuslau.com
Director, USBI VER Library / Coordinator, Virtual UV Library
Universidad Veracruzana / DGB
Veracruz, México

2. • University libraries overview
• State university libraries
• Technology adoption
• Opportunities to use technology
Topics

3. Demographics - Mexico
• 14th in geographical size
• 7th in exports
• 3rd trade partner of the US
• Largest Spanish-speaking country
• 2nd economy in Latin America / 14th in the world
• A middle income country
• Literacy 90%
• Ranks with some of the best libraries in Latin
America

4. Higher Education Institutions
• Total = 2,895
• Private = 1,786 (33% student population)
• Public = 1,109 (67% student population)
– State universities
– Technological institutes
– Technological universities
– Polytechnic universities
– Teaching institutions

5. Library Statistics
Type Centers Volumes
School 4,689 17,162,907
Academic *3,000 16,422,598
Special *500 2,576,889
Public 7,211 27,067,572
National 1 1,250,000
Others 5 449,160
Total 15,406 64,179,126

6. Library Education
• Nine library and information science schools
• 7 Undergraduate
• 4 Master’s programs
• 1 Ph.D
• Two distance programs (One is web-based)
• Two Archive study programs
• About 4,000 library graduates

7. State Universities by Enrollment Size

8. Average student population by
university size

9. • 36 cases
• State University Libraries / excluded Mexico City
• The largest and best equiped
• Attend the largest number of students
• Survey: 11 questions
• Four technology components:
– Management software
– Virtual information services
– Computers for users
– Social network tools
Survey

10. Library Management Systems
Survey – FIRST Component

11. Library Management Systems

12. Computer for Users /
Computer Staff
Survey – SECOND Component

13. Computers for Library Users
University
Size
Average Computer
number for library
users
Average
student
population*
Average
students per
computer
Small 166 8,338 50.22
Medium 105 23,481 223.62
Large 591 55,948 94.44
*Numbers provided by ANUIES (2002), ANUIES (2008)

14. Computer and Technology Staff
University
Size
Average
student
population*
Average number of
personnel appointed
to serve computer
and technology
needs
Average
student
population by
computer and
technology staff
Small 8,338 4,07 2,048
Medium 23,481 3,33 7,044
Large 55,948 6,66 5,391
*Numbers provided by ANUIES (2002), ANUIES (2008)

15. Virtual Library Software
Survey – THIRD Component

16. Virtual Reference Software

17. Virtual Reference Software

18. Use of Search Engines

19. Search Engines

20. Search Engine Software

21. Use of Library Management Software

22. Use of digital document repositories

23. Digital Document Repositories

24. Social Network Tools
Survey – FOURTH Component

25. Social Networks Tools

26. Social Networks Tools Use by University size
Social Network Tool %
University Size Small Medium Large
Listservs 0.00 33.00 8.00
Twitter 0.00 13.33 8.00
Blog 40.00 13.33 27.00
Facebook 20.00 27.00 16.00
Youtube 0.00 0.00 8.00
Flickr 0.00 0.00 8.00
Wiki 27.00 0.00 16.00
Discussion
Forums
27.00 13.33 8.00

27. • State university libraries are slow in adopting
technology
• There is a great opportunity for technology
training
• Budget can be a problem
• Challenges:
– Hire professional librarians
– increase directors retention rate
– reduce staff union decision power
Conclusions

28. References
Asociación Nacional de Universidades e Instituciones de Educación Superior,
ANUIES. (2008). Estadísticas de la Educación Superior. (En Línea) Fecha de consulta:
Abril, 1, 2010 En: http://www.anuies.mx/servicios/e_educacion/index2.php
Attewell, J. (2005). Mobile technologies and learning: A technology update and m-
learning project summary, Technology Enhanced Learning Research Centre, Learning and
Skills Development Agency. (Online). Retrieved, April 1, 2010 from
http://www.lsda.org.uk/files/PDF/041923RS.pdf
Consejo Nacional para Asuntos Bibliotecarios de las Instituciones de Educación
Superior, CONPAB-IES (2005). Normas para bibliotecas de instituciones de educación
superior e investigación. Guadalajara, México: CONPAB-IES.
Lau, J. (2009). Mexican libraries, archives and museums: a snapshot. In: Encyclopedia
of Library and Information Science, New York: Marcel Dekker.
Sanz Menéndez, L. (2003). Análisis de redes sociales: o cómo representar las
estructuras sociales subyacentes. Apuntes de Ciencia y Tecnología, Nº 7, junio, pp.
21-29.

29. Sanz Menéndez, L. (2003). Análisis de redes sociales: o cómo representar las
estructuras sociales subyacentes. Apuntes de Ciencia y Tecnología, Nº 7, junio, pp.
21-29.
World Trade Organization. International trade statistics 2009. Retrieved June 25,
2010 from
http://www.wto.org/spanish/res_s/statis_s/its2009_s/its09_world_trade_dev_s.pdf
References