The librarian professional in audiovisual collections: the case of Rádio Universidade FM

Abstract

The present article analyzes the role of the librarian in audiovisual collections, using as a case study Rádio Universidade FM 106.9 MHz at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA). Considering that librarians play a central role in information mediation, memory preservation, and collection organization, the research investigated the consequences of their absence in a musical archive in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, composed of more than 10,000 vinyl records and 50,000 digitized tracks. The methodology adopted included a literature review, on-site observation, and interviews with the station’s managers. The results indicate that, without the presence of librarians, the collection faces problems such as disorganization, lack of technical criteria, risk of loss, and difficulty in accessing information. Conversely, experiences from university radio stations in different regions of Brazil demonstrate that the
inclusion of Library Science professionals results in efficient practices of cataloging, digitization, and digital preservation, in addition to expanding access and strengthening the social and educational role of these stations. The study also highlights the need for
institutional policies that promote the appreciation and integration of librarians in these spaces, transforming them into environments of active preservation, academic outreach, and democratization of cultural memory. It concludes that the presence of this professional is strategic for ensuring both the integrity of sound collections and the continuity of university radio stations’ role as instruments of citizenship, culture, and knowledge.