Social and human vision of information science

understanding the past to build the future

Abstract

Inscribed in the vast area of social and human sciences, Information Science (IS) shows a clear transdisciplinary dimension and at the same time interdisciplinary links with other areas of knowledge. In this article, we intend to analyse the evolution of the Archival science, Library science, Museology, and Documentation disciplines and respective services, as well as to explain their convergence to the IS. To fulfil this purpose, we chose a qualitative exploratory approach expressed in the literature review. We acknowledge the persistence of the archetype of the traditional documentary compartmentalization of information throughout the institutional and/or technological space where it is kept. However, collaboration and convergence between libraries (L), archives (A), and museums (M) is increasing, particularly in the digital environment. The conclusion is that we can contribute to the assertion of a social and human IS (ISSH) by shifting the focus from the object of study of the document and/or information to the Human Being that produces and consumes it.