Ibero-American System of Library Networks (SIRBI)

A Space for Dialogue, Exchange, and Cooperation

Abstract

The UN's 2030 Agenda, through its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4 – Quality Education – guides the transformation of global educational systems. In this context, public school library networks emerge as strategic tools to expand access to information, promote inclusion, and foster learning. This study reviews and compares the structures, legal frameworks, and institutional practices of public-school library networks in ten South American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela), as described by the Ibero-American System of National Library Networks (SIRBI). Based on documentary data, content analysis (Bardin, 2021), and a systematic literature review, the results show that although each model has its particularities, regional experiences highlight the importance of integration through ICTs, administrative decentralization, and interinstitutional cooperation. These findings provide support for the development of strategic guidelines aimed at implementing a robust national school library network in Brazil.