By Celia Chaín and Navarro Amalia More Bleda

Abstract:

In this paper we want to find out, on the one hand, the characteristics of the Latin American national archives (mainly referring to installation, deposits and resources), and the other hand, the current situation Relating to the creation, development and maintenance of these institutions. For this, we design a questionnaire Whose questions are classified in three sections (institution’s data, webmaster’s data and the website’s data), and it was sent by e-mail. The results show that the Mexican National Archive has the highest number of human and material resources, and that none of the webmaster of these institutions needed to have a LIS degree to carry out their job. We concluded that this job To obtain some specific studies would be required, such as some knowledge of programming languages, web design, web development project and information management.

1. Introduction

Although the Information Society one of the most important is the technology, it is known that Information Technology and Communications (ICT) do not develop equally to all, and here comes the so-called ‘digital divide’, the latter being defined as the space between those with regular and effective access to digital technologies ( ‘Online’) and those who do not ( ‘disconnected’) (Civallero, 2006).

It’s often been associated with the digital divide not only have access to ICTs (radio, television, telephone, computer and internet). While this access is the starting point to explain the problem, there are many other variables that are interrelated, and therefore none is sufficient by itself to explain it (Bertot, 2003: 186). Rodríguez (2006: 33) notes that the digital divide is determined by:

1. The available technology, ie, infrastructure services and the appropriation of technology as a result of the availability of financial resources.
2. The social appropriation of ICT as a result of utility or social value.
3. The ability of individuals to benefit from ICT, skills and abilities developed by the formal and informal educational processes.
4. The conditions of community economic development.
5. The geographical distribution of communities.
6. The demographic characteristics of the population.

Dupuy (2007) distinction between gap and digital divide. The author submits that digital divide exists when, at a given time, significant disparities are access and / or use digital and digital divide when it is noted that digital inequalities have a cumulative effect leading to a dynamic pernicious to vicious circles involving other sectors besides the strictly digital.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC (2008) distinguishes two types of gaps: the international gap, which refers to the gap between Latin America and the Caribbean to the rest of the world and the internal gap, referring to differences within the region itself. Regarding the former, ECLAC indicates that Latin America and the Caribbean are below the world average in terms of ICT diffusion, except in the mobile telephony segment. Regarding the internal gap, says that it increases as we move towards more complex and costly technologies to users.

In Latin America and the Caribbean digital divide has three dimensions: in terms of extension (access), in its depth (the quality of that access) and on the use (Guerra, 2008).

In access to ICTs is fairly wide gap between so-called developed and undeveloped. In 2005, Latin America and the Caribbean, revenue is the primary determinant of access to the Internet and education determines both access to the network as the computer (ECLAC, 2008).

Two other barriers to access to ICT is the interest or motivation and skills or abilities. In the first group are those who have no interest in accessing the Internet by not associating the benefits of training with individual needs, distrust of online transactions made and the lack of content in their own language. Skill barriers are constituted by the fear of being wrong, the denial to continuous learning and have to be constantly updated (Fernandez, 2005).

The language is also presented as a barrier to the Latin American surfer, because although not match the figures provided by various studies (Internet 2008; Paolillo, 2005; Serrano, 2003; Scissors 2007) on the languages of Internet content, does seem to exist some agreement that most of these contents are in English, Chinese and Japanese, but with a growing trend of Spanish.

The quality gap is also very wide access between so-called developed countries and Latin America and the Caribbean, where the income is not the only factor that determines it. It also influences the use of electronic applications, it seems that the greater the availability of applications from business, government, health, education, entertainment, etc.., The greater the demand for broadband services (Guerra, 2008).

Taking into account usage patterns, we see again the importance of income and education as determinants of digital divide in use. People with formal education using ICT more advanced, especially in the case of the Internet. Those with postsecondary education, especially students, have high usage patterns regardless of income level, and do not belong to the poorest quintile. (ECLAC, 2008).

Martin-Barbero (2004) argues that Latin American countries to appropriate the benefits they bring ICT, will require have a new cultural base, allowing the real access of the majority to the various uses of ICT. He affirms that to get that cultural base will require a draft convention on four areas: virtual literacy, prioritization of research on ways of local ownership of virtual cultures, scanning of the various ‘worlds heritage’ and the potentiation of creativity on the Web

One of the projects created with the aim of reducing the digital divide is @ LIS program of cooperation between Europe and Latin America aimed at promoting the Information Society in the latter (2). In addition, ECLAC created the Observatory for the Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean (OSILAC) (3) with the aim of supporting the production, gathering, processing and dissemination of data, indicators and methodologies, standardizing and harmonizing ICT statistics, to analyze the state of the Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Ultimately, the Information Society is a process of transformation in different fields (business, finance, employment and education) with different degrees of development in societies that determine the social, economic, political and cultural, involving the coexistence of companies and whose greatest threat is the digital divide (Uribe-Tirado, 2007c). And it is a reflection of other social and economic divides, but also a cause of exclusion, providing feedback to the other existing gaps and contributes to widening disparities “(Prat, 2004: 44).

The disparity means that company from the consequences associated with the incorporation of ICT, because for some countries lie that they are the result of investments made in research and development, others assume they are a symbol of progress without understanding its usefulness and / or applicability (Peña, 2008). For example, in the themes present in the national agendas of the Information Society, there is a greater inclination of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean ICT as a means of social integration and improved quality of life population, rather than as a promoter of economic development (ECLAC, 2008).

While it is true that individuals or communities who can access the Net are able to move faster, we must not forget that there are many who can not access it, and in that sense, the digital divide increases their differences between them (August, 2006; Chaín, 2006). It is clear that the digital divide is a problem with multiple factors, so it is necessary to study not only the development of the access gap (or connectivity) and economic barriers, motivation and skill, but in social terms, this is, how people are using and adapting technologies (Echevarria, 2008; Fernandez, 2005).

In this new society based on the technologies and the Internet, it is important to recognize the work of professionals in the information and documentation (librarians, archivists …) as information managers, professionals with skills for describing, indexing, classification and distribution, among others.

The great changes in today’s society because of the advent of ICTs are changing the role and profile of information professionals. These have to be redefined to adapt to new labor market, for which they should update their contents (especially linguistic and computer) and sharpen certain interpersonal skills such as creativity, leadership, sense of organization and capacity for analysis, synthesis, communication and work Team (August, 2006, Castro, 2007; Tejada, 2003 b).

Graduates in Library and are trained to do multiple jobs in the public, including: website design, loading, maintenance and updating of content and interaction with users (Munoz 2007). Some of these information professionals are playing today so far assigned tasks to specialists from other professions, especially the computer. For example, are involved in the design of computer systems have become webmasters, designers of web sites and intranet and are experts in searching the Web (Aramayo 2001).

Coinciding with Tejada and Moreira (Tejada, 2003a), the University, responsible for the training of professionals, should study the occupational and professional development of its graduates so that they can better tailor their academic programs. It is in this institution where you must provide and develop new knowledge, skills and abilities that today they are demanding. However, several authors (August, 2006, Castro 2007) suggest that these skills and abilities not only ensure the academic, as the diploma does not guarantee date knowledge, which shows that information professionals must be aware the need for continuing education.

The web sites must be information systems, and as such, should be created and managed by a multidisciplinary team. This team should be composed not only by computer and / or engineers in telecommunications, but also should include technical experts from other disciplines such as graphic designers, information professionals, information architects, journalists, editors, accessibility specialists and usability, and so on. (Garcia, 2002), which must work closely and maintain adequate communication.

2. Aim of the work

In previous work we have studied both the Internet presence of the national archives of Latin America and the information provided (More, 2007), as content and services should be provided at the web sites of this type of file, based on the view users themselves (More, 2009).

This paper is a continuation and complement to them, whose objective is to know on the one hand, the characteristics of the national archives of Latin America (mainly relating to facilities, warehouses and resources), and secondly, the current situation concerning the creation developing and / or maintenance of the web sites of these institutions, with emphasis on technology and the management of content.

From each of the files is to have information about the institution, the webmaster or person responsible for maintenance of the website and their own Web site.

3. Methodology

As discussed above, the purpose of this research is to ascertain the current situation concerning the creation, development and / or maintenance of the web sites of the national archives of Latin America (4). To do this, first identify which of these files have an Internet presence.

Once identified, drawing up a questionnaire for webmasters or people responsible for websites, since we are primarily concerned with knowing the information related to tasks performed on the Web: design, inclusion of content, technical maintenance, renovation, dissemination, etc.. However, to analyze data and draw appropriate conclusions, it must apply to a context, so also request information from the institution itself, as a surface of the building, financial and material resources with which account, etc..

The survey questions are classified under three headings:

- Details of the institution, composed of 28 questions related to the characteristics of deposits and facilities, budgets, technological resources and outreach activities.

- Data from the webmaster, consisting of 13 questions about the persons responsible for maintaining the web site, such as studies that have, year in which he finished, work function, education or training required to perform the job, mode of access, the time it takes to play, training has been achieved.

- Information on the website, consisting of 25 questions relating to human resources with which account, content and services offered, as well as to design, update and statistics of the website. The last question in this block is left for any comments they see fit to do.

To develop the first section of the questionnaire was very useful to us the Expert Report Tavera Historical Foundation on the status of the Archives of Latin America (established 2000), from which we extracted some of the questions listed and that seems really provide interesting data on the resources available to these institutions. The questions of the other two sections are based on our own information needs.

Following the completion of the questionnaire and have identified national archives Hispanic presence on the Internet, browse their web sites and locate emails where to send the questionnaire. They mainly looking e-mail the principal, and the person responsible for maintaining the website (webmaster) and if they are not available, is located any other with which to connect. Once identified, questionnaires are sent, together with a letter explaining the object of study.

The development of the questionnaire, the location of emails to send to, and the first shipment will be made in the first two months of 2008.

The response rate was very low, thus sending the questionnaire (in two formats: Word and RTF) for a total of five times throughout the year (2008), whose dates were: February 28, April 11, 25 of July, 21 October and 3 December. Furthermore, in the second half of December will try to contact by phone with those files that had not yet given us any answer.

The files involved in this research are those that at the end of 2008 we had submitted the completed questionnaire or had said they were filling it, and forwarded it to us soon.

4. Results

Of the total of the 19 Latin American countries, 17 (89.47%) are available online national archives, all except Honduras and Venezuela, the latter to find their web site out of service. It should be noted that although information is available from the National Archives of Nicaragua, in reality it is not the portal of the institution, but general information that someone has included in the network, so that is not provided any contact data, and therefore not participate in the study.

Thus, the questionnaire was sent to 16 national archives, which was answered by 12 (75%) of institutions: Archivo General de la Nacion (hereafter AGN) of Argentina, National Archives (hereinafter NA), Chile, AN de Costa Rica, AN Cuba, Ecuador NA of AGN in El Salvador, Mexico’s AGN, AN Panama, Peru’s AGN, AN Paraguay, AN de Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic AGN and AGN in Uruguay.

Should also be noted that in the case of Paraguay has been taken into account the unofficial web site of the file, because the officer is not available online.

The results obtained after analysis of the questionnaires received were classified into three sections:

- Hispanic National Archives, showing the characteristics of deposits and facilities, budgets, technological resources and outreach activities.

- Web sites of these files, which provides information about the websites of archives surveyed.

- Webmasters of those websites, which includes the characteristics of persons responsible for the maintenance of websites.

Only files from Chile and Mexico have all their funds listed, although Argentina, Costa Rica and Paraguay have made between 76 and 99%. Those from El Salvador, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay do not have cataloged or 25% of their funds.

In most institutions the level of description of the documents listed depends on the substance, ie typically charge a general description of the documentation and detailed description of another party. Yes I agree the use of the ISAD-G for cataloging funds except the files of Panama and Paraguay. The first uses a numerical cataloging and organic functional classification, and the second does not make use of modern cataloging.

In addition, all files except the Paraguayan and Peruvian historical mapping feature. In this sense, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Uruguay have essentially flat from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and Ecuador also has plans, but span a century (XVIII to XX). Those of Mexico and the Dominican Republic guard the oldest historical cartography (XVI-XX).

Only AGN in Peru has scanned between 26 and 50% of funds held by the institution, the rest has not reached 25%. The AN of Uruguay has not answered this question.

The main criteria for the digitization of funds are those that respond to national issues and the most damaged (used by 5 files) as well as the most consulted and those defined by the direction of the center (used for 4 files). Two institutions digitize the funds for a specified period, and only one takes into account the earliest documentation.

These files use different media for dissemination (Table 5), the most common being the institution’s website, publications and conducting guided tours and exhibitions. To a lesser degree courses or seminars conducted for broadcast. Those from Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are those that use a greater diversity of media to spread. All three indicate the use of media other than those identified in Table 4, but are the Mexican and Dominican those that specify what they are: radio spots, television and press inserts.

All files except the Paraguayan relate to other institutions. For example, Chile is coordinated with colleges and universities, the University of Panama and the Public Registry of the country of Peru with the National Institute of and Culture of Uruguay with public, private and institutional, but does not specify which. The coordinates of Costa Rica was mainly with other public archives, libraries, museums and the Ministry of Culture and Youth of Mexico and coordinates with the entire federal government and various file type (state, municipal, university, etc.. ) request. Puerto Rico has an organization of archives and libraries to coordinate educational activities for members and the general public.

We note therefore that the AGN in Mexico is one of the largest number of media used for dissemination of the institution and coordinates with more institutions, especially archival. It also notes that, except in the case of Ecuador, in those Countries with a National Archives (Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico and Uruguay) is where your files are coordinated national institutions with more and use more media for dissemination.

With regard to material resources, these institutions have an average of 72 computers, 18 printers, 3 photocopiers, microfilming 2 teams and 5 scanners, there is great contrast between them. Table 6 shows that the Mexican is the largest number of computers has, well above the rest. Member of Costa Rica, Peru and the Dominican Republic are also above average. The Paraguay, Panama, Ecuador and El Salvador are those with fewer resources.

The websites of 5 files (those of Argentina, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico and Peru) have been created only by personnel of the institution, in Panama and the Dominican Republic have been commissioned specifically to a company, while the creation of the portals of 3 files (those in Chile, Ecuador and Puerto Rico), although the company has also designed a staff of the institution involved. In the case of NA in Uruguay, the website has been created by the staff of the institution, but with guidance and technical support from a computer at the University of the Republic. Paraguay’s website (remember that it is not official), your name and hosting donated by a company sponsor.

In every case the website maintenance is carried out by personnel of the institution, although some records also involved other people. For example, in maintaining the website of the NA of Argentina also include staff of Systems Area of the Ministry of Interior (the website of the NA of Argentina is part of the website of the Ministry of Interior).

In most of the files, those responsible for the content provided on web sites are your directors, managers of sections or areas of the file, or both.

The tools used for creating and / or maintenance of the web site are various: HTML, PHP, Java, JavaScript, Perl, ActionScript, (programming language), Flash (for creating graphic animations), MySQL (database manager data), Apache (web server), Dreamweaver (web editor), Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks (for graphics), etc..

Two files update their website daily (AN from Argentina, Peru’s AGN), five weekly (AN, Chile, Mexico’s AGN, AGN of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic AGN and AGN of Uruguay), a biweekly (AN of Panama ), two quarterly and is required at the request of the Directorate (AN AN Costa Rica and Ecuador) and one as events (AN Paraguay). The NA of El Salvador did not specify.

Have some method of measuring customer satisfaction only in the web sites of 5 files: that of Costa Rica using user studies, traces the use of Ecuador, in Mexico the mailbox and emails, as measured by Peru the satisfaction of their users through online consultations. The AN of Argentina does not specify the method used.

They are also only 5 files have access to statistics site including: those of Argentina, Chile, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay, which stresses the year 5,300,000 hits to the website of the Mexican. The website of the AGN in the Dominican Republic was out for quite a while and was relaunched in late December 2007, however, say they receive about 12,000 visits monthly. The website received 2680 AGN of Uruguay visits between the months of September and October 2007.

Regarding the number of queries made through the web in the last year (2007) emphasizes again the Mexican file, with 350,000 requests.

The main topics of the queries made through the portals of Hispanic national archives are steps that can be made and funds custodian (AN de Chile); request service (AN of Ecuador), application of digital copying of documents (AN of Paraguay) pedigrees, immigrants and administrative documents (AGN from Peru); consultation of digitized documents (AGN from the Dominican Republic), and funds, news of events related to the file and legislation (AGN from Uruguay). In the web site of Mexico’s most AGN consulted are: the general guide, the Gateway of Independence and the Portal of the Revolution, three sections which can be accessed from the homepage (or boot) of the website .

The archives of Costa Rica, Mexico and Uruguay are the only ones who have no plans to amend the structure or web design, because the website was redesigned or newly created. The motives of those who plan to make a modification are diverse: adding new content, ie update the information provided (in Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador and Paraguay), so that users can consult the archives of the institution (AN of Panama) and changing the projected image (in Peru and the Dominican Republic).

The websites of all files, except the newly created (those from Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay) and the NA of El Salvador, have undergone some remodeling. Thus, Peru and Argentina have suffered, although the Argentine plans to change the entire portal in late 2008. The archives of Chile, Costa Rica and Mexico have been two renovations of their websites, and the Dominican Republic three, but none specified the reasons. The Puerto Rican is the third remodeling process, and the Ecuadorian claims to have made four alterations, though none has occurred in the past three years.

He previously said that only AGN from Peru had digitized their funds between 26-50%, and the rest did not reach 25%. No Hispanic national archive has posted online all their digitized collections (5), although all (except you do not know Peruvian and Uruguayan not indicated) say they have thought to include more funds in their web sites, even long term, as is the case of AN, Costa Rica. The main criteria used to place the funds in line are the most consulted (used by 7 files) and the direction defined by (used for 5 files), as well as responding to national issues and all that are digitized and inventoried (used for 4 files).

Eight files (those in Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic) include in their web sites or bulletin journal of the institution. They all do a full text, except Peru, which only provides the cover and the index of the magazine. The Ecuadorian said that includes the cover and a brief description of the magazine on its website, but we have not found it.

In addition, most plan to include on its website shortly any documentary description tool, the most common classification table, inventory and catalog.

Previous studies showed that the respondents file using just the metadata or did incorrectly (Chain, 2006; More, 2007). Therefore, one of the questions referred to them. While all claim to know what these ‘meta tags’, we consider it well in some cases, as they would have thought to include them soon. We believe that if you really know the usefulness of the metadata (information that comes quickly at no cost and benefits the visibility of the website, as it is easier to recover by search engines) include them.

4.3 Webmasters of websites of the national archives Hispanic

Webmaster use the term to refer to the person responsible for maintaining a Web site.

One of the questions asked in the questionnaire is the number of people working in the maintenance of the website. The second item of the questionnaire consists of data related to webmasters, so if a file indicates that there are two people responsible for maintaining the website should also indicate the information (sex, age, education, work function , means of access to jobs, etc.). of two people. However, not all files have given us this information.

Thus, the NA of Chile indicates that three people entering the information and six that make up the web, but only provides full information about a person. The AGN in the Dominican Republic indicates that there are four workers responsible for maintaining the website, but also provides information solely on a person. The archives of Ecuador and El Salvador say they have two webmasters, but offer information only on one. For its part, the AN of Panama stated that the Technology Directorate of the Public Registry of the country is responsible for maintaining the website and provides information of a single person.

Given these observations, we can say that two is the average number of people working in the maintenance of the web sites of the Hispanic National Archives.

In total, we have submitted the complete information of 15 webmasters, one of the files in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, Peru and the Dominican Republic and two from Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Uruguay.

As regards gender, 60% were men, 26.7% women and 13.3% (the two people responsible for maintaining the AN website of Uruguay) did not show. As shown in Table 10, most of them (73.3%) are aged between 19 and 40 years.

The tasks are varied: responsible for content, updating content, public relations and cultural outreach, manager of servers and websites, information management portal, web design, responsible for the functionality of the site, head of programming, responsible of digitization.

Study or training is required to perform that job are diverse: multimedia designer, public relations, computer engineering, Computer Systems, Social Communications Technician, Technical Operator of computers, knowledge of HTML and PHP, design and implementation of web pages and knowledge management and information systems development, web project development, training and professional experience in management and information management (especially web information), training and experience in computer and graphic design.

Two webmasters say they need a degree for the post, but do not specify which. Furthermore, it is striking that in the case of AGN in Puerto Rico, one of the webmasters need to have knowledge of design and implementation of websites and the other specify, in addition to being a specialist in the History of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, have general knowledge development and transformation of political institutions, legal and economic of the region (6).

Most have little time to play their job (Table 12), and curiously the two who spent more than five years belong to the same. The most common ways to access the post is by interview and by opposition, and they all work for seven to eight hours, except in the AGN of Uruguay, where the content is usually responsible devote about 8 hours per week and responsible for some 20 web design hours (also weekly). The webmasters of archives in Peru and Puerto Rico do not specify the time, the Peruvian indicates that all day if necessary and Puerto Ricans that depends on the availability of the material.

Table 12: Time that the webmasters of the Hispanic National Archives are playing your position.

80% have completed a training course whose topics are both archival and information technology. Specifically, they have made an average of 2 courses, being the main reason the desire to learn and the need to be updated, in part because far less is paid by the institution and because it values them.

Another 80% of the webmasters claim to have regular contact with the head of the physical collection and 93.3% with archivists.

1. Introduction

Although the Information Society one of the most important is the technology, it is known that Information Technology and Communications (ICT) do not develop equally to all, and here comes the so-called ‘digital divide’, the latter being defined as the space between those with regular and effective access to digital technologies ( ‘Online’) and those who do not ( ‘disconnected’) (Civallero, 2006).

It’s often been associated with the digital divide not only have access to ICTs (radio, television, telephone, computer and internet). While this access is the starting point to explain the problem, there are many other variables that are interrelated, and therefore none is sufficient by itself to explain it (Bertot, 2003: 186). Rodríguez (2006: 33) notes that the digital divide is determined by:

1. The available technology, ie, infrastructure services and the appropriation of technology as a result of the availability of financial resources.
2. The social appropriation of ICT as a result of utility or social value.
3. The ability of individuals to benefit from ICT, skills and abilities developed by the formal and informal educational processes.
4. The conditions of community economic development.
5. The geographical distribution of communities.
6. The demographic characteristics of the population.

Dupuy (2007) distinction between gap and digital divide. The author submits that digital divide exists when, at a given time, significant disparities are access and / or use digital and digital divide when it is noted that digital inequalities have a cumulative effect leading to a dynamic pernicious to vicious circles involving other sectors besides the strictly digital.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC (2008) distinguishes two types of gaps: the international gap, which refers to the gap between Latin America and the Caribbean to the rest of the world and the internal gap, referring to differences within the region itself. Regarding the former, ECLAC indicates that Latin America and the Caribbean are below the world average in terms of ICT diffusion, except in the mobile telephony segment. Regarding the internal gap, says that it increases as we move towards more complex and costly technologies to users.

In Latin America and the Caribbean digital divide has three dimensions: in terms of extension (access), in its depth (the quality of that access) and on the use (Guerra, 2008).

In access to ICTs is fairly wide gap between so-called developed and undeveloped. In 2005, Latin America and the Caribbean, revenue is the primary determinant of access to the Internet and education determines both access to the network as the computer (ECLAC, 2008).

Two other barriers to access to ICT is the interest or motivation and skills or abilities. In the first group are those who have no interest in accessing the Internet by not associating the benefits of training with individual needs, distrust of online transactions made and the lack of content in their own language. Skill barriers are constituted by the fear of being wrong, the denial to continuous learning and have to be constantly updated (Fernandez, 2005).

The language is also presented as a barrier to the Latin American surfer, because although not match the figures provided by various studies (Internet 2008; Paolillo, 2005; Serrano, 2003; Scissors 2007) on the languages of Internet content, does seem to exist some agreement that most of these contents are in English, Chinese and Japanese, but with a growing trend of Spanish.

The quality gap is also very wide access between so-called developed countries and Latin America and the Caribbean, where the income is not the only factor that determines it. It also influences the use of electronic applications, it seems that the greater the availability of applications from business, government, health, education, entertainment, etc.., The greater the demand for broadband services (Guerra, 2008).

Taking into account usage patterns, we see again the importance of income and education as determinants of digital divide in use. People with formal education using ICT more advanced, especially in the case of the Internet. Those with postsecondary education, especially students, have high usage patterns regardless of income level, and do not belong to the poorest quintile. (ECLAC, 2008).

Martin-Barbero (2004) argues that Latin American countries to appropriate the benefits they bring ICT, will require have a new cultural base, allowing the real access of the majority to the various uses of ICT. He affirms that to get that cultural base will require a draft convention on four areas: virtual literacy, prioritization of research on ways of local ownership of virtual cultures, scanning of the various ‘worlds heritage’ and the potentiation of creativity on the Web

One of the projects created with the aim of reducing the digital divide is @ LIS program of cooperation between Europe and Latin America aimed at promoting the Information Society in the latter (2). In addition, ECLAC created the Observatory for the Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean (OSILAC) (3) with the aim of supporting the production, gathering, processing and dissemination of data, indicators and methodologies, standardizing and harmonizing ICT statistics, to analyze the state of the Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Ultimately, the Information Society is a process of transformation in different fields (business, finance, employment and education) with different degrees of development in societies that determine the social, economic, political and cultural, involving the coexistence of companies and whose greatest threat is the digital divide (Uribe-Tirado, 2007c). And it is a reflection of other social and economic divides, but also a cause of exclusion, providing feedback to the other existing gaps and contributes to widening disparities “(Prat, 2004: 44).

The disparity means that company from the consequences associated with the incorporation of ICT, because for some countries lie that they are the result of investments made in research and development, others assume they are a symbol of progress without understanding its usefulness and / or applicability (Peña, 2008). For example, in the themes present in the national agendas of the Information Society, there is a greater inclination of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean ICT as a means of social integration and improved quality of life population, rather than as a promoter of economic development (ECLAC, 2008).

While it is true that individuals or communities who can access the Net are able to move faster, we must not forget that there are many who can not access it, and in that sense, the digital divide increases their differences between them (August, 2006; Chaín, 2006). It is clear that the digital divide is a problem with multiple factors, so it is necessary to study not only the development of the access gap (or connectivity) and economic barriers, motivation and skill, but in social terms, this is, how people are using and adapting technologies (Echevarria, 2008; Fernandez, 2005).

In this new society based on the technologies and the Internet, it is important to recognize the work of professionals in the information and documentation (librarians, archivists …) as information managers, professionals with skills for describing, indexing, classification and distribution, among others.

The great changes in today’s society because of the advent of ICTs are changing the role and profile of information professionals. These have to be redefined to adapt to new labor market, for which they should update their contents (especially linguistic and computer) and sharpen certain interpersonal skills such as creativity, leadership, sense of organization and capacity for analysis, synthesis, communication and work Team (August, 2006, Castro, 2007; Tejada, 2003 b).

Graduates in Library and are trained to do multiple jobs in the public, including: website design, loading, maintenance and updating of content and interaction with users (Munoz 2007). Some of these information professionals are playing today so far assigned tasks to specialists from other professions, especially the computer. For example, are involved in the design of computer systems have become webmasters, designers of web sites and intranet and are experts in searching the Web (Aramayo 2001).

Coinciding with Tejada and Moreira (Tejada, 2003a), the University, responsible for the training of professionals, should study the occupational and professional development of its graduates so that they can better tailor their academic programs. It is in this institution where you must provide and develop new knowledge, skills and abilities that today they are demanding. However, several authors (August, 2006, Castro 2007) suggest that these skills and abilities not only ensure the academic, as the diploma does not guarantee date knowledge, which shows that information professionals must be aware the need for continuing education.

The web sites must be information systems, and as such, should be created and managed by a multidisciplinary team. This team should be composed not only by computer and / or engineers in telecommunications, but also should include technical experts from other disciplines such as graphic designers, information professionals, information architects, journalists, editors, accessibility specialists and usability, and so on. (Garcia, 2002), which must work closely and maintain adequate communication.

2. Aim of the work

In previous work we have studied both the Internet presence of the national archives of Latin America and the information provided (More, 2007), as content and services should be provided at the web sites of this type of file, based on the view users themselves (More, 2009).

This paper is a continuation and complement to them, whose objective is to know on the one hand, the characteristics of the national archives of Latin America (mainly relating to facilities, warehouses and resources), and secondly, the current situation concerning the creation developing and / or maintenance of the web sites of these institutions, with emphasis on technology and the management of content.

From each of the files is to have information about the institution, the webmaster or person responsible for maintenance of the website and their own Web site.

3. Methodology

As discussed above, the purpose of this research is to ascertain the current situation concerning the creation, development and / or maintenance of the web sites of the national archives of Latin America (4). To do this, first identify which of these files have an Internet presence.

Once identified, drawing up a questionnaire for webmasters or people responsible for websites, since we are primarily concerned with knowing the information related to tasks performed on the Web: design, inclusion of content, technical maintenance, renovation, dissemination, etc.. However, to analyze data and draw appropriate conclusions, it must apply to a context, so also request information from the institution itself, as a surface of the building, financial and material resources with which account, etc..

The survey questions are classified under three headings:

- Details of the institution, composed of 28 questions related to the characteristics of deposits and facilities, budgets, technological resources and outreach activities.

- Data from the webmaster, consisting of 13 questions about the persons responsible for maintaining the web site, such as studies that have, year in which he finished, work function, education or training required to perform the job, mode of access, the time it takes to play, training has been achieved.

- Information on the website, consisting of 25 questions relating to human resources with which account, content and services offered, as well as to design, update and statistics of the website. The last question in this block is left for any comments they see fit to do.

To develop the first section of the questionnaire was very useful to us the Expert Report Tavera Historical Foundation on the status of the Archives of Latin America (established 2000), from which we extracted some of the questions listed and that seems really provide interesting data on the resources available to these institutions. The questions of the other two sections are based on our own information needs.

Following the completion of the questionnaire and have identified national archives Hispanic presence on the Internet, browse their web sites and locate emails where to send the questionnaire. They mainly looking e-mail the principal, and the person responsible for maintaining the website (webmaster) and if they are not available, is located any other with which to connect. Once identified, questionnaires are sent, together with a letter explaining the object of study.

The development of the questionnaire, the location of emails to send to, and the first shipment will be made in the first two months of 2008.

The response rate was very low, thus sending the questionnaire (in two formats: Word and RTF) for a total of five times throughout the year (2008), whose dates were: February 28, April 11, 25 of July, 21 October and 3 December. Furthermore, in the second half of December will try to contact by phone with those files that had not yet given us any answer.

The files involved in this research are those that at the end of 2008 we had submitted the completed questionnaire or had said they were filling it, and forwarded it to us soon.

4. Results

Of the total of the 19 Latin American countries, 17 (89.47%) are available online national archives, all except Honduras and Venezuela, the latter to find their web site out of service. It should be noted that although information is available from the National Archives of Nicaragua, in reality it is not the portal of the institution, but general information that someone has included in the network, so that is not provided any contact data, and therefore not participate in the study.

Thus, the questionnaire was sent to 16 national archives, which was answered by 12 (75%) of institutions: Archivo General de la Nacion (hereafter AGN) of Argentina, National Archives (hereinafter NA), Chile, AN de Costa Rica, AN Cuba, Ecuador NA of AGN in El Salvador, Mexico’s AGN, AN Panama, Peru’s AGN, AN Paraguay, AN de Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic AGN and AGN in Uruguay.

Should also be noted that in the case of Paraguay has been taken into account the unofficial web site of the file, because the officer is not available online.

The results obtained after analysis of the questionnaires received were classified into three sections:

- Hispanic National Archives, showing the characteristics of deposits and facilities, budgets, technological resources and outreach activities.

- Web sites of these files, which provides information about the websites of archives surveyed.

- Webmasters of those websites, which includes the characteristics of persons responsible for the maintenance of websites.

Only files from Chile and Mexico have all their funds listed, although Argentina, Costa Rica and Paraguay have made between 76 and 99%. Those from El Salvador, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay do not have cataloged or 25% of their funds.

In most institutions the level of description of the documents listed depends on the substance, ie typically charge a general description of the documentation and detailed description of another party. Yes I agree the use of the ISAD-G for cataloging funds except the files of Panama and Paraguay. The first uses a numerical cataloging and organic functional classification, and the second does not make use of modern cataloging.

In addition, all files except the Paraguayan and Peruvian historical mapping feature. In this sense, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Uruguay have essentially flat from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and Ecuador also has plans, but span a century (XVIII to XX). Those of Mexico and the Dominican Republic guard the oldest historical cartography (XVI-XX).

Only AGN in Peru has scanned between 26 and 50% of funds held by the institution, the rest has not reached 25%. The AN of Uruguay has not answered this question.

The main criteria for the digitization of funds are those that respond to national issues and the most damaged (used by 5 files) as well as the most consulted and those defined by the direction of the center (used for 4 files). Two institutions digitize the funds for a specified period, and only one takes into account the earliest documentation.

These files use different media for dissemination (Table 5), the most common being the institution’s website, publications and conducting guided tours and exhibitions. To a lesser degree courses or seminars conducted for broadcast. Those from Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are those that use a greater diversity of media to spread. All three indicate the use of media other than those identified in Table 4, but are the Mexican and Dominican those that specify what they are: radio spots, television and press inserts.

All files except the Paraguayan relate to other institutions. For example, Chile is coordinated with colleges and universities, the University of Panama and the Public Registry of the country of Peru with the National Institute of and Culture of Uruguay with public, private and institutional, but does not specify which. The coordinates of Costa Rica was mainly with other public archives, libraries, museums and the Ministry of Culture and Youth of Mexico and coordinates with the entire federal government and various file type (state, municipal, university, etc.. ) request. Puerto Rico has an organization of archives and libraries to coordinate educational activities for members and the general public.

We note therefore that the AGN in Mexico is one of the largest number of media used for dissemination of the institution and coordinates with more institutions, especially archival. It also notes that, except in the case of Ecuador, in those Countries with a National Archives (Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico and Uruguay) is where your files are coordinated national institutions with more and use more media for dissemination.

With regard to material resources, these institutions have an average of 72 computers, 18 printers, 3 photocopiers, microfilming 2 teams and 5 scanners, there is great contrast between them. Table 6 shows that the Mexican is the largest number of computers has, well above the rest. Member of Costa Rica, Peru and the Dominican Republic are also above average. The Paraguay, Panama, Ecuador and El Salvador are those with fewer resources.

The websites of 5 files (those of Argentina, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico and Peru) have been created only by personnel of the institution, in Panama and the Dominican Republic have been commissioned specifically to a company, while the creation of the portals of 3 files (those in Chile, Ecuador and Puerto Rico), although the company has also designed a staff of the institution involved. In the case of NA in Uruguay, the website has been created by the staff of the institution, but with guidance and technical support from a computer at the University of the Republic. Paraguay’s website (remember that it is not official), your name and hosting donated by a company sponsor.

In every case the website maintenance is carried out by personnel of the institution, although some records also involved other people. For example, in maintaining the website of the NA of Argentina also include staff of Systems Area of the Ministry of Interior (the website of the NA of Argentina is part of the website of the Ministry of Interior).

In most of the files, those responsible for the content provided on web sites are your directors, managers of sections or areas of the file, or both.

The tools used for creating and / or maintenance of the web site are various: HTML, PHP, Java, JavaScript, Perl, ActionScript, (programming language), Flash (for creating graphic animations), MySQL (database manager data), Apache (web server), Dreamweaver (web editor), Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks (for graphics), etc..

Two files update their website daily (AN from Argentina, Peru’s AGN), five weekly (AN, Chile, Mexico’s AGN, AGN of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic AGN and AGN of Uruguay), a biweekly (AN of Panama ), two quarterly and is required at the request of the Directorate (AN AN Costa Rica and Ecuador) and one as events (AN Paraguay). The NA of El Salvador did not specify.

Have some method of measuring customer satisfaction only in the web sites of 5 files: that of Costa Rica using user studies, traces the use of Ecuador, in Mexico the mailbox and emails, as measured by Peru the satisfaction of their users through online consultations. The AN of Argentina does not specify the method used.

They are also only 5 files have access to statistics site including: those of Argentina, Chile, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay, which stresses the year 5,300,000 hits to the website of the Mexican. The website of the AGN in the Dominican Republic was out for quite a while and was relaunched in late December 2007, however, say they receive about 12,000 visits monthly. The website received 2680 AGN of Uruguay visits between the months of September and October 2007.

Regarding the number of queries made through the web in the last year (2007) emphasizes again the Mexican file, with 350,000 requests.

The main topics of the queries made through the portals of Hispanic national archives are steps that can be made and funds custodian (AN de Chile); request service (AN of Ecuador), application of digital copying of documents (AN of Paraguay) pedigrees, immigrants and administrative documents (AGN from Peru); consultation of digitized documents (AGN from the Dominican Republic), and funds, news of events related to the file and legislation (AGN from Uruguay). In the web site of Mexico’s most AGN consulted are: the general guide, the Gateway of Independence and the Portal of the Revolution, three sections which can be accessed from the homepage (or boot) of the website .

The archives of Costa Rica, Mexico and Uruguay are the only ones who have no plans to amend the structure or web design, because the website was redesigned or newly created. The motives of those who plan to make a modification are diverse: adding new content, ie update the information provided (in Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador and Paraguay), so that users can consult the archives of the institution (AN of Panama) and changing the projected image (in Peru and the Dominican Republic).

The websites of all files, except the newly created (those from Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay) and the NA of El Salvador, have undergone some remodeling. Thus, Peru and Argentina have suffered, although the Argentine plans to change the entire portal in late 2008. The archives of Chile, Costa Rica and Mexico have been two renovations of their websites, and the Dominican Republic three, but none specified the reasons. The Puerto Rican is the third remodeling process, and the Ecuadorian claims to have made four alterations, though none has occurred in the past three years.

He previously said that only AGN from Peru had digitized their funds between 26-50%, and the rest did not reach 25%. No Hispanic national archive has posted online all their digitized collections (5), although all (except you do not know Peruvian and Uruguayan not indicated) say they have thought to include more funds in their web sites, even long term, as is the case of AN, Costa Rica. The main criteria used to place the funds in line are the most consulted (used by 7 files) and the direction defined by (used for 5 files), as well as responding to national issues and all that are digitized and inventoried (used for 4 files).

Eight files (those in Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic) include in their web sites or bulletin journal of the institution. They all do a full text, except Peru, which only provides the cover and the index of the magazine. The Ecuadorian said that includes the cover and a brief description of the magazine on its website, but we have not found it.

In addition, most plan to include on its website shortly any documentary description tool, the most common classification table, inventory and catalog.

Previous studies showed that the respondents file using just the metadata or did incorrectly (Chain, 2006; More, 2007). Therefore, one of the questions referred to them. While all claim to know what these ‘meta tags’, we consider it well in some cases, as they would have thought to include them soon. We believe that if you really know the usefulness of the metadata (information that comes quickly at no cost and benefits the visibility of the website, as it is easier to recover by search engines) include them.

4.3 Webmasters of websites of the national archives Hispanic

Webmaster use the term to refer to the person responsible for maintaining a Web site.

One of the questions asked in the questionnaire is the number of people working in the maintenance of the website. The second item of the questionnaire consists of data related to webmasters, so if a file indicates that there are two people responsible for maintaining the website should also indicate the information (sex, age, education, work function , means of access to jobs, etc.). of two people. However, not all files have given us this information.

Thus, the NA of Chile indicates that three people entering the information and six that make up the web, but only provides full information about a person. The AGN in the Dominican Republic indicates that there are four workers responsible for maintaining the website, but also provides information solely on a person. The archives of Ecuador and El Salvador say they have two webmasters, but offer information only on one. For its part, the AN of Panama stated that the Technology Directorate of the Public Registry of the country is responsible for maintaining the website and provides information of a single person.

Given these observations, we can say that two is the average number of people working in the maintenance of the web sites of the Hispanic National Archives.

In total, we have submitted the complete information of 15 webmasters, one of the files in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, Peru and the Dominican Republic and two from Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Uruguay.

As regards gender, 60% were men, 26.7% women and 13.3% (the two people responsible for maintaining the AN website of Uruguay) did not show. As shown in Table 10, most of them (73.3%) are aged between 19 and 40 years.

The tasks are varied: responsible for content, updating content, public relations and cultural outreach, manager of servers and websites, information management portal, web design, responsible for the functionality of the site, head of programming, responsible of digitization.

Study or training is required to perform that job are diverse: multimedia designer, public relations, computer engineering, Computer Systems, Social Communications Technician, Technical Operator of computers, knowledge of HTML and PHP, design and implementation of web pages and knowledge management and information systems development, web project development, training and professional experience in management and information management (especially web information), training and experience in computer and graphic design.

Two webmasters say they need a degree for the post, but do not specify which. Furthermore, it is striking that in the case of AGN in Puerto Rico, one of the webmasters need to have knowledge of design and implementation of websites and the other specify, in addition to being a specialist in the History of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, have general knowledge development and transformation of political institutions, legal and economic of the region (6).

Most have little time to play their job (Table 12), and curiously the two who spent more than five years belong to the same. The most common ways to access the post is by interview and by opposition, and they all work for seven to eight hours, except in the AGN of Uruguay, where the content is usually responsible devote about 8 hours per week and responsible for some 20 web design hours (also weekly). The webmasters of archives in Peru and Puerto Rico do not specify the time, the Peruvian indicates that all day if necessary and Puerto Ricans that depends on the availability of the material.

Table 12: Time that the webmasters of the Hispanic National Archives are playing your position.

80% have completed a training course whose topics are both archival and information technology. Specifically, they have made an average of 2 courses, being the main reason the desire to learn and the need to be updated, in part because far less is paid by the institution and because it values them.

Another 80% of the webmasters claim to have regular contact with the head of the physical collection and 93.3% with archivists.

5. Conclusions

Of the twelve national archives Hispanic respondents, one was created in the s. XVI, one in the s. XVIII, three in the s. Nineteenth and the rest in the s. XX. All have a permanent and adequate, although three have no recognized safe condition. Those of Chile, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay are the ones with a larger surface area, the same that have a greater volume of documentation.

Half of the files use metal shelves, and the rest combine metal and wood, although the Panamanian has mechanical files. On the material from the boxes used to store the documents, the most used are cardboard carton and acidified .

Most institutions (in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and the Dominican Republic) guard documentation ranging from the sixteenth century to the present.

Only five files have more than 75% of its listed funds, highlighting the Chilean and Mexican reaching 100%. In most, the level of description of the documents listed depends on the substance, and almost all use the ISAD-G. In addition, all files except the Paraguayan and Peruvian historical mapping feature.

If the majority of institutions do not have cataloged even 50% of funding (four files even 25%), it is not surprising that only one file (the Peruvian) has scanned between 26 and 50% of their funds , and the rest did not reach 25%. The main criteria for the digitization of funds are those that respond to national issues and the most damaged (used by 5 files) as well as the most consulted and those defined by the direction of the center (used for 4 files).

Moreover, the most common means used by the files for distribution are the institution’s website, publications and conducting guided tours and exhibitions.

With regard to available resources, national archives Hispanic Americans have an average of 107 employees, 72 computers, 18 printers, 3 photocopiers, microfilming 2 teams and 5 scanners, there is great contrast between them. The AGN in Mexico is the greatest number of human and material resources has, as one of the most media for dissemination of the institution and coordinates with more institutions, especially archival. This has a positive effect in creating website as the web site of the Mexican file is the second track, in terms of information provided (More, 2007).

However, although obviously the more resources should help the web site better, you can achieve big things with fewer resources. This is shown by the NA of Chile, which have fewer resources than the Mexican file, its website is the most complete of all Hispanic national archives (More, 2007).

The web sites of 42% of the files have been created solely by the institution’s staff, 17% have been commissioned specifically to a company, while 20% has been a mixed group made up of workers and personnel file of a nonprofit institution . The website of the AN in Uruguay has been created by the staff of the institution, but with guidance and technical support from a computer at the University of the Republic, and Paraguay’s website (remember that it is not official) and their hosting donated by a company sponsor.

In every case the website maintenance is carried out by personnel of the institution (although some also involved other people), and those responsible for the content provided in most cases are their directors, managers of sections or areas of the file, or both. Half of the files weekly update their web sites. Further, only five files in their web sites have some method to measure user satisfaction, the same statistics that have access to the web site.

Regarding the number of queries made through the web in the last year (2007) highlights the Mexican file. The main themes of the consultations are requesting information on steps that can be performed, service or information request on the funds.

Almost all files claim to have thought to include more funds in their web sites, albeit in the long term, and most (66.6%) include the magazine or newsletter of the institution to full text, except Peru, which only includes the cover and the index of the magazine.

Most webmasters are young (they are aged between 19 and 40 years), so no surprise that more than half have completed their studies after 2000. The tasks are diverse, as are the education or training that is required to perform that job

We advocate that information professionals are trained to manage information from a Web site. However, through this research we find that any of the webmasters of the Hispanic National Archives was required specific studies of Library and Information Science (or Information Science is often referred to as Latin America). However, it is concluded that to perform that job rather than specific studies of certain knowledge is required, as programming languages, web design, web project development or management of information.

We also believe that there should be regular contact between the webmaster and responsible for the physical collection, so that the content provided on the web site and how to present them to satisfy the needs of users. In this respect, most claim to have regular contact with the head of the physical collection and the / as archivists / as.
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Of the twelve national archives Hispanic respondents, one was created in the s. XVI, one in the s. XVIII, three in the s. Nineteenth and the rest in the s. XX. All have a permanent and adequate, although three have no recognized safe condition. Those of Chile, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay are the ones with a larger surface area, the same that have a greater volume of documentation.

Half of the files use metal shelves, and the rest combine metal and wood, although the Panamanian has mechanical files. On the material from the boxes used to store the documents, the most used are cardboard carton and acidified .

Most institutions (in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and the Dominican Republic) guard documentation ranging from the sixteenth century to the present.

Only five files have more than 75% of its listed funds, highlighting the Chilean and Mexican reaching 100%. In most, the level of description of the documents listed depends on the substance, and almost all use the ISAD-G. In addition, all files except the Paraguayan and Peruvian historical mapping feature.

If the majority of institutions do not have cataloged even 50% of funding (four files even 25%), it is not surprising that only one file (the Peruvian) has scanned between 26 and 50% of their funds , and the rest did not reach 25%. The main criteria for the digitization of funds are those that respond to national issues and the most damaged (used by 5 files) as well as the most consulted and those defined by the direction of the center (used for 4 files).

Moreover, the most common means used by the files for distribution are the institution’s website, publications and conducting guided tours and exhibitions.

With regard to available resources, national archives Hispanic Americans have an average of 107 employees, 72 computers, 18 printers, 3 photocopiers, microfilming 2 teams and 5 scanners, there is great contrast between them. The AGN in Mexico is the greatest number of human and material resources has, as one of the most media for dissemination of the institution and coordinates with more institutions, especially archival. This has a positive effect in creating website as the web site of the Mexican file is the second track, in terms of information provided (More, 2007).

However, although obviously the more resources should help the web site better, you can achieve big things with fewer resources. This is shown by the NA of Chile, which have fewer resources than the Mexican file, its website is the most complete of all Hispanic national archives (More, 2007).

The web sites of 42% of the files have been created solely by the institution’s staff, 17% have been commissioned specifically to a company, while 20% has been a mixed group made up of workers and personnel file of a nonprofit institution . The website of the AN in Uruguay has been created by the staff of the institution, but with guidance and technical support from a computer at the University of the Republic, and Paraguay’s website (remember that it is not official) and their hosting donated by a company sponsor.

In every case the website maintenance is carried out by personnel of the institution (although some also involved other people), and those responsible for the content provided in most cases are their directors, managers of sections or areas of the file, or both. Half of the files weekly update their web sites. Further, only five files in their web sites have some method to measure user satisfaction, the same statistics that have access to the web site.

Regarding the number of queries made through the web in the last year (2007) highlights the Mexican file. The main themes of the consultations are requesting information on steps that can be performed, service or information request on the funds.

Almost all files claim to have thought to include more funds in their web sites, albeit in the long term, and most (66.6%) include the magazine or newsletter of the institution to full text, except Peru, which only includes the cover and the index of the magazine.

Most webmasters are young (they are aged between 19 and 40 years), so no surprise that more than half have completed their studies after 2000. The tasks are diverse, as are the education or training that is required to perform that job

We advocate that information professionals are trained to manage information from a Web site. However, through this research we find that any of the webmasters of the Hispanic National Archives was required specific studies of Library and Information Science (or Information Science is often referred to as Latin America). However, it is concluded that to perform that job rather than specific studies of certain knowledge is required, as programming languages, web design, web project development or management of information.

We also believe that there should be regular contact between the webmaster and responsible for the physical collection, so that the content provided on the web site and how to present them to satisfy the needs of users. In this respect, most claim to have regular contact with the head of the physical collection and the / as archivists / as.

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Articles, Digital information system, Library Science, Research, Web information systems
content management, information management, Latin America, Latin America; webmaster, National Archives, web site, website