The Challenges of UNED Libraries in the Digital Era

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15517/isucr.v26i53.56150

Keywords:

Open University, Educational Policy, University Libraries, Schooling Democratization

Abstract

The Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) libraries play an important role within communities as informative referents strategically located at university venues and around the country. After the enactment of the Institutional Policy for Integral Development of University within the Territory, libraries engaged into a new development vision focused on the level of satisfaction and motivation of library managers and on the resulting challenges derived from enforcing said policy. The present article shows the results from a perception survey applied to 26 employees of UNED libraries. The survey was carried out through a digital platform, and it allowed the authors to comprehend various aspects of their work. It was concluded that working conditions should be improved since employees are victims of labor surcharge and demotivation, an occurrence contrary to what was proposed by the policy: to promote improvements that increase workers’ levels of satisfaction.

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Author Biography

  • Evelyn Patricia Gutiérrez Soto, Universidad Estatal a Distancia de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica

    Specialist in Communication, Education, and International Relations

    Doctor in Communication and Peace from the University for Peace of the United Nations and the University of La Laguna, Spain, and Master in Ibero-American International Relations from the Rey Juan Carlos University, Spain. Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the State Distance University (UNED) of Costa Rica.

    With 22 years of experience at the State Distance University (UNED), she has held positions such as Director of the UNED Puntarenas Campus and Social Communicator in the press department of the Institutional Office of Marketing and Communication. Currently, she serves as a lecturer at the School of Education Sciences, where she has also engaged in research, university outreach, and the publication of various academic articles.

References

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Published

08/11/2026

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 53 (2025): Vol. 26 Núm. 53 (2025): Volumen XXVI, Número 53, enero-junio (2025)

Section

Academic Articles (Peer-Reviewed Section)

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Evelyn Patricia Gutiérrez Soto

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