Development of information policies for the government library: the case of the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS) of Brazil

Abstract

This article discusses the information policies to be implemented in the library of the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger (MDS), which will be reinstated after its abrupt closure. Information policies are important tools for organizing, accessing, and disseminating knowledge, and are strategic in terms of government policies. The methodology uses as its main reference the literature of IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions), on the parameters to be applied in developing information policies. Information policies are outlined based on an analysis of the library typology—in this case, a specialized government library—and are developed in line with the Ministry's mission, establishing guidelines for areas such as access to resources, services offered, collection management, circulation of materials, collection creation and development, and digital preservation. The paper describes the initial activities of restoring the collection and reopening the library. In conclusion, we can highlight the importance of developing and implementing information policies as an essential tool to ensure the library's continued existence as an informational foundation within the Ministry, acting as a partner in document management and in government policy development processes.