Towards a New History of Books and Libraries in Argentina: Background, History and Periods

This paper was first presented at a session of the IFLA World Library and Information Congress, Buenos Aires, August 2004. The session, entitled 'Library research in Argentina: new approaches' was organized by IFLA's Education and Research Division and hosted by the Institute of Library Research, Faculty of Arts, University of Buenos Aires. The past development of the subject of the 'history of the book and libraries in Argentina' is divided into four periods. It is argued that, having previously followed a descriptive path, the subject is now influenced by the emergence of cultural history and consequently pays more attention than in the past to broader cultural contexts. As a result, it is now legitimate to refer to a 'new' history of books and libraries in Argentina.