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Objectives: To analyse the Spanish public's perception of its libraries from a non-librarian’s point of view, in this case through the eyes of the Spanish press. Specifically, we examined the topics newspapers addressed most frequently in library-related news and considered how these topics changed in the period under question (2008–2012), especially after the beginning of the financial crisis. This was a comparative study, completed in conjunction with researchers in France, Italy and the UK. -- Methodology: The study was based on a systematic examination of the two national Spanish newspapers El País and El Mundo during the period 2008–2012, using a survey of the Factiva news database. First we identified the articles that were relevant to the study. Next, we performed a text and content analysis, codifying each article according to the following parameters: type of library being discussed, main topic, section of the newspaper in which the article appeared and, in articles on libraries outside Spain, the country to which the library belonged. -- Results: The analysis of the Spanish press offers mixed results about the current status of Spain's libraries. On the one hand, the general public considers library services to be important or even essential. On the other, libraries are facing the problems which are often described by library staff associations and there is a need for serious debate about the future of library services. Diachronic analysis indicated that after an initial period characterized by great interest in new libraries and investment in library infrastructures, the increasing pressure of the financial crisis changed public perception and moved the focus towards digital modes of knowledge and the possible role of libraries as an instrument to counteract the effects of the crisis. In general, the image of Spanish libraries presented by the press was markedly traditional and did little to alter common stereotypes about the nature of libraries and the work of librarians.

Objetivo: el artículo se propone analizar la percepción pública de las bibliotecas en España desde una perspectiva externa al ámbito profesional, es decir, a través de la prensa diaria. Nos hemos preguntado, en concreto, cuáles son los temas que más se tratan en los diarios en relación con las bibliotecas y si han cambiado durante el periodo que nos interesa (2008–2012), especialmente después de la aparición de la crisis económica. El análisis se ha realizado en un marco comparativo con otros países europeos (Italia, Francia y el Reino Unido). -- Metodología: el estudio se ha basado en un examen sistemático de dos diarios nacionales españoles, El País y El Mundo, del año 2008 al 2012, mediante una consulta de la base de datos FactivaTM. De entre los artículos que hemos obtenido, se han identificado los que eran pertinentes al estudio, y sobre estos se ha realizado un análisis del texto y del contenido, codificando cada artículo según los siguientes parámetros: tipo de biblioteca de la que se habla, tema principal, sección en la que se publicó el artículo y, en el caso de artículos que hablan de bibliotecas extranjeras, el país al que pertenecen. -- Resultados: la imagen general de las bibliotecas que se desprende del análisis de la prensa diaria española tiene luces y sombras, ya que si por un lado pone de relieve aspectos que el público general considera importantes e incluso imprescindibles, por otro nos confirma algunas de las preocupaciones existentes entre el colectivo de bibliotecarios y empuja a una reflexión más profunda en lo relativo a los caminos que deben recorrerse en el futuro. El análisis diacrónico de los artículos nos muestra que, tras una primera fase caracterizada por un gran interés por las nuevas bibliotecas y la atención a las inversiones que se las dedicaba, el peso cada vez mayor de la crisis económica cambió la percepción y llevó el enfoque hacia las perspectivas digitales del conocimiento y el posible papel de las bibliotecas como herramienta anticrisis. En general, la prensa diaria tiene tendencia a representar una idea de las bibliotecas bastante tradicional y los estereotipos sobre la naturaleza de las bibliotecas y el trabajo de los bibliotecarios parecen lejos de superarse. Objectives: To analyse the Spanish public's perception of its libraries from a non-librarian’s point of view, in this case through the eyes of the Spanish press. Specifically, we examined the topics newspapers addressed most frequently in library-related news and considered how these topics changed in the period under question (2008–2012), especially after the beginning of the financial crisis. This was a comparative study, completed in conjunction with researchers in France, Italy and the UK. -- Methodology: The study was based on a systematic examination of the two national Spanish newspapers El País and El Mundo during the period 2008–2012, using a survey of the Factiva news database. First we identified the articles that were relevant to the study. Next, we performed a text and content analysis, codifying each article according to the following parameters: type of library being discussed, main topic, section of the newspaper in which the article appeared and, in articles on libraries outside Spain, the country to which the library belonged. -- Results: The analysis of the Spanish press offers mixed results about the current status of Spain's libraries. On the one hand, the general public considers library services to be important or even essential. On the other, libraries are facing the problems which are often described by library staff associations and there is a need for serious debate about the future of library services. Diachronic analysis indicated that after an initial period characterized by great interest in new libraries and investment in library infrastructures, the increasing pressure of the financial crisis changed public perception and moved the focus towards digital modes of knowledge and the possible role of libraries as an instrument to counteract the effects of the crisis. In general, the image of Spanish libraries presented by the press was markedly traditional and did little to alter common stereotypes about the nature of libraries and the work of librarians.

Objectiu. Aquest assaig té com a objectiu analitzar si existeix un nexe entre el paper de les biblioteques públiques a la societat contemporània i l'aplicació del paradigma de la llarga cua al món físic. Concretament, l'article es pregunta com s'han de concebre les noves biblioteques públiques centrals de grans dimensions i com s'han de replantejar les biblioteques locals i de barri dins la xarxa bibliotecària urbana. -- Metodologia. Introducció i anàlisi del paradigma de la llarga cua a partir del llibre de Chris Anderson de 2006, per tal d'entendre quines conseqüències pot tenir en la utilització de les biblioteques i, per tant, en la manera de projectar-les. L'anàlisi es duu a terme mitjançant recursos teòrics i se sustenta, per a la reflexió, en els aspectes que han posat en relleu els casos de la Biblioteca Sala Borsa de Bolonya i els Idea Stores de Londres. -- Resultats. Com a conclusió, es pot dir que el paradigma de la llarga cua fa que l'oferta bibliotecària genèrica, caracteritzada per una possibilitat d'opció massa limitada, sigui poc atractiva. Per tant, les biblioteques públiques centrals han de poder disposar d'edificis grans i funcionals, fons variats i horaris amplis, una gamma extensa de serveis i activitats d'entreteniment educatiu (en anglès, edutainment) i una gran capacitat de desenvolupar un paper social i d'entreteniment, a més de l'estrictament cultural. D'altra banda, les biblioteques locals i de barri no poden sobreviure si no tenen unes dimensions mínimes determinades, llevat que apostin per temes, cultures o llengües pròpies de l'àrea de referència i complementàries respecte a l'oferta conjunta del territori, o bé s'orienten a aquells col·lectius que no tenen la possibilitat o la capacitat de desplaçar-se extensivament per la ciutat (gent gran, nens, minusvàlids, etc.). Dit d'una altra manera, les biblioteques públiques haurien de valorar el seu paper d'intermediàries amb altres serveis bibliogràfics especialitzats presents en el territori, i alhora plantejar altres oportunitats formatives, informatives, culturals i d'entreteniment, disponibles dins l'àrea metropolitana i fora.Objective. This paper analyses whether there is a link between the role of public libraries in contemporary society and the application of the long tail theory to the physical world. Specifically, it discusses how new large central public libraries should be conceived and how local libraries should be redefined within a city's library network. -- Method. The long tail theory from the book by Chris Anderson (2006) was introduced and analysed, to understand its potential impact on the use of libraries and thus on library planning. The analysis was carried out using theoretical resources. To promote reflection, it was supported by aspects highlighted in case studies of the Sala Borsa Library in Bologna and the Idea Stores in London. -- Results. To conclude, the long tail theory may mean that library offerings are not generally very appealing and are characterized by a range of options that is too limited. Therefore, central public libraries should be housed in large, functional buildings, have varied collections, long opening hours, an extensive range of services and edutainment activities, and a considerable capacity to play a role in social, leisure and purely cultural activities. -- Local libraries cannot survive unless they are a certain minimum size or focus on specific subjects, cultures or languages related to an area of reference. They should complement the total library offerings in the region or be aimed at groups that do not have the opportunity or ability to travel large distances within the city (senior citizens, children, people with disabilities, etc.). In other words, public libraries must assess their role as intermediaries with other specialized library services in the region, and offer other opportunities within and outside the metropolitan area in the fields of education, information, culture and entertainment.

Objetivo. Este ensayo tiene como objetivo analizar si existe un nexo entre el papel de las bibliotecas públicas en la sociedad contemporánea y la aplicación del paradigma de la larga cola al mundo físico. Concretamente, el artículo se pregunta cómo se tienen que concebir las nuevas bibliotecas públicas centrales de grandes dimensiones y cómo se tienen que replantear las bibliotecas locales y de barrio dentro de la red bibliotecaria urbana. -- Metodología. Introducción y análisis del paradigma de la larga cola a partir del libro de Chris Anderson de 2006, para entender qué consecuencias puede tener en la utilización de las bibliotecas y, por lo tanto, en la manera de proyectarlas. El análisis se lleva a cabo mediante recursos teóricos y se sustenta, para la reflexión, en los aspectos que han puesto de relieve los casos de la Biblioteca Sala Borsa de Bolonia y los Idea Stores de Londres. -- Resultats. Como conclusión, se puede decir que el paradigma de la larga cola hace que la oferta bibliotecaria genérica, caracterizada por una posibilidad de opción demasiado limitada, sea poco atractiva. Por lo tanto, las bibliotecas públicas centrales tienen que poder disponer de edificios grandes y funcionales, fondos variados y horarios amplios, una gama extensa de servicios y actividades de entretenimiento educativo (en inglés, edutainment) y una gran capacidad de desarrollar un papel social y de entretenimiento, además del estrictamente cultural. Por otro lado, las bibliotecas locales y de barrio no pueden sobrevivir si no tienen unas dimensiones mínimas determinadas, salvo que apuesten por temas, culturas o lenguas propias del área de referencia y complementarias respecto a la oferta conjunta del territorio, o bien se orientan a aquellos colectivos que no tienen la posibilidad o la capacidad de desplazarse de forma extensiva por la ciudad (gente mayor, niños, minusválidos, etc.). Dicho de otra manera, las bibliotecas públicas tendrían que valorar su papel de intermediarias con otros servicios bibliográficos especializados presentes en el territorio, y a la vez plantear otras oportunidades formativas, informativas, culturales y de entretenimiento, disponibles dentro del área metropolitana y fuera.Objective. This paper analyses whether there is a link between the role of public libraries in contemporary society and the application of the long tail theory to the physical world. Specifically, it discusses how new large central public libraries should be conceived and how local libraries should be redefined within a city's library network. -- Method. The long tail theory from the book by Chris Anderson (2006) was introduced and analysed, to understand its potential impact on the use of libraries and thus on library planning. The analysis was carried out using theoretical resources. To promote reflection, it was supported by aspects highlighted in case studies of the Sala Borsa Library in Bologna and the Idea Stores in London. -- Results. To conclude, the long tail theory may mean that library offerings are not generally very appealing and are characterized by a range of options that is too limited. Therefore, central public libraries should be housed in large, functional buildings, have varied collections, long opening hours, an extensive range of services and edutainment activities, and a considerable capacity to play a role in social, leisure and purely cultural activities. Local libraries cannot survive unless they are a certain minimum size or focus on specific subjects, cultures or languages related to an area of reference. They should complement the total library offerings in the region or be aimed at groups that do not have the opportunity or ability to travel large distances within the city (senior citizens, children, people with disabilities, etc.). In other words, public libraries must assess their role as intermediaries with other specialized library services in the region, and offer other opportunities within and outside the metropolitan area in the fields of education, information, culture and entertainment.